The Ark is an oasis for at-risk children and youth, and even more so during this pandemic. The children have been quarantined with their house parents since March 19th. Amazingly, the vast majority of children are grateful, with older youth stepping into doing chores at home as well as serving as house assistants and groundskeepers. Many are also growing spiritually and relationally with their peers.
The ministry has invested in making the children’s life a little more fun during their quarantine by providing supplies for making special foods like pizza and donuts, and using a blow-up pool and board games to facilitate family bonding time and on-campus picnics. The house moms have enjoyed cooking out together, and house dads stay on top of the grounds team, along with lots of playtimes. House dad Albert is a tailor, and with two borrowed sewing machines and some of the older boys as apprentices, he is sewing high-quality masks for the entire Ark family.
Birthdays are celebrated in creative ways, valuing each child as a unique gift from God. A week early, the older youth planned a surprise Mother’s Day afternoon which the house moms enjoyed, complete with pool time and special foods. On the last Sunday of May, the moms enjoyed breakfast in bed courtesy of the kids!
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Getting creative, families find fun and different places to share meals. Making pleasant memories has strengthened bonds.
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The older youth have done a great job stepping into work roles during this pandemic lockdown.
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Many hands make the work light. With all hands on deck, not only does the huge Ark yard get cleaned, but there's much laughter, conversation, and joy experienced as the kids learn the value of teamwork and that they each are important.
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Many of the Ark kids have not experienced the joy and freedom of playing with a safe adult. House dad Jhonny enjoys loving his biological kids alongside his "ministry kids" – a beautiful gift these house parents give the children daily.
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Pools at the Ark are a new and very welcomed gift during this pandemic! Aware that life outside the Ark is more restricted, the kids are grateful for space and freedom to play and enjoy these days.
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With the school year and schoolwork coming to an end, there is more time to play and relax together. This pandemic has given many of the children important opportunities for growth and selflessness, such as helping with cooking, yard work, and tutoring.
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With pool rules and protocols reviewed, the Ark family is enjoying the blessing of “swimming”! House mom Jossy encourages little Jose" as he learns to trust her and enjoy the water. (*Name changed)
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The kids plotted and planned a Mother’s Day surprise for the house moms – a special pool party complete with food service, a week early! The moms were thrilled!
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Site Director, Virgilio, encouraging the Ark family. The directors and house parents have taken advantage of this quarantine time to strengthen connections with the children and within the family units. They have thoughtfully planned out and executed activities to grow unity.
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Enjoying each other’s company and the delicious meal that follows, the house moms gather to cook Sancocho, a Dominican favorite.
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House dad Albert teaches tailoring to teenage boys as they produce masks for everyone.
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It has been an unseasonably hot spring. Kids Alive purchased fans for the homes and these pools for play! The kids are enjoying bonding time while staying cool.
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Mother’s Day Celebrations! These moms were treated to a “breakfast in bed” together by some of the older Ark youth. These women persevere in joy daily as they love the children who need deep healing.
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Working as apprentices, these youth have not only gained a marketable skill, but they have stepped into a deeper relationship with house dad Albert.
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Many kids come to the Ark without ever having experienced a birthday celebration. At the Ark, the children are reminded that they are uniquely created by God who has unique plans for each of them!
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Although maintaining daily routines has been important during these months of quarantine, house parents enjoy making special foods and finding special places to share them!
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Juan* got a cut that required stitches. A week later, stitches gone, the grinning boy gets ready to hit the pool! (*Name changed)
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House mom Melania joins the kids' exercise routine. Taking advantage of the opportunity to build relationships, house parents enjoy playing and laughing with the kids.
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Each Ark family member has a mask now. The sewing group is on to produce a second set for each member! Using fabric screened for high quality, the novice tailors have become quite skilled in creating these masks which are now mandatory.
