tvc . dsj . org | February 21 , 2017 community 9
PayPal Gives $ 10K to Build Community Center in Tijuana
By Joanna Thurmann
The opportunity was clear for John Huan Vu : to help find funds for the construction of a desperately needed community center at an HIV / AIDS Hospice in Tijuana , Mexico . Then to travel to Tijuana in the summer to help construct it .
Vu , a senior software engineer at PayPal in San Jose , just needed to connect his employer ’ s charitable giving program , PayPal Gives , with the non-profit , Brothers and Sisters in Community Service ( BASICS ), which facilitates social justice-oriented immersion experiences and construction projects for the poor , both locally in the Diocese and across the border .
A few months later , Vu ’ s dream is being realized . Members of PayPal Gives , BASICS , and the Tijuana Ministry met on January 31 to hand-off a $ 10,000 check that will benefit an area of North America that is home to some of Jesus ’ poorest , sickest , and “ least of these ” of the Gospel .
The project is desperately needed . Albergue Las Memorias A . C ., an AIDS residential hospice in eastern Tijuana , Mexico , needs a community building because they have outgrown their existing space . This is the only AIDS hospice in all of Baja California , serving over 100 residents who have no other means of care and support . A new 20 ’ x 48 ’ building will allow them to host classes , meetings , and memorial services for those who have died .
In addition , the women at the hospice are fundraising for sewing machines to make school uniforms for local children and clothing for other residents . The community room could serve as sewing space . There is also a woodshop where some build items such as dog-houses for sale . In this way , everyone gets involved in strengthening the community , both inside and outside the hospice . And although poor , members can contribute time and talent to ensure that the hospice will continue to help others in the future .
The grant will pay for half of the construction project , while the rest will be fundraised by BASICS . Its founder , Deacon Bob Malone , says , “ This hospice is a clear example of where the community comes to work together , to help each other , and to give purpose and dignity to everyone involved .”
Vu had been fundraising and volunteering for BASICS , and he traveled on their Tijuana Ministry immersion trip last summer , along with a hundred other volunteers , to build several homes and to run outreach programs for local women and children . Visiting the struggling AIDS hospice left him with a profound desire to help .
The grant was recommended by the San Jose PayPal Gives Team and awarded from corporate contributions through PayPal Gives Corporate Advised Fund at Silicon Valley Community Foundation . Karin Ikavalko , GIVE team Co-Chair , said that employee involvement is a key consideration when reviewing the many grant proposals received . “ John ’ s dedication to this project and support of BASICS was most inspiring to us ,” said Ikavalko .
Vu welcomes his PayPal coworkers and others to join in the effort . The Tijuana Ministry , via the BASICS organization , is truly a life-changing experience , for both its volunteers and for those whom it serves . Trip dates are June 24-July 1 and July 8-15 . Applications close on March 15 . Find out more at TijuanaMinistry . org .