Puerto Rico is a beautiful place surrounded by warm waters with palm trees that line the highways and greenery that towers over the land. Most people see a version of Puerto Rico on Instagram with photos of the bold and pastel colors of the homes in Old San Juan and other neighborhoods that color the country and fill it with life. That’s only one part of Puerto Rico, though. The island has gone through many obstacles, and there is so much need for help. 

Nestled in the island is a group home that echoes with laughter and conversations, all coming from a group of nine boys who call that place home. I had the amazing privilege to visit and get to know them with a team from Florida through the nonprofit, HIS Missions, and was able to put faces to the sounds that fill the space. Most days, these kids spend their time indoors, and a visit is not an everyday occurrence. 

Getting to know each one of these boys was truly a gift. We got to see their creativity one day making tye-dye shirts, creating designs while music played in the background. For the first time in a long time, each boy was able to have the pride of holding on to something they made, something to call their own. I can’t fully put into words what it was like to have gone to the beach with them and see the joy on their faces as they splashed around in the water. Some were able to snorkel and others got the chance to paddleboard. Some of them had not laughed the way they did so in a long time. There were countless moments where they were smiling from ear to ear, clouding the reality of their situation. 

Each boy comes with a past and a story. For some, parents have had their parental rights removed or have no one else to care for them. Some of the boys have specific medical needs or disabilities. For over two decades, Damaris, who oversees the daily operations of the home, has worked tirelessly facing financial and government challenges. One of these challenges is the Child Safety, Well-being, and Protection Act, which seeks to protect and remove children who are in situations of abuse or neglect. This prioritizes children to be with families, but it’s not that easy. Most families are already facing challenges and cannot take on the care of a child with special needs. Although each of these boys is eligible for adoption, those who have siblings or are twelve years old and up are less likely to be adopted. On top of that, the process is long and complex. 

Photo: Corina De Leon Perez

Currently, changes in budget have led to the closing of various homes for children, and this is a leading concern for Damaris and the staff who care for the boys. Over the years, Damaris shared, it has been difficult to make ends meet and keep the home open with the amount that the government provides. Aside from operations and supplies or food, the disabilities and needs of some of the boys require additional expenses. One of the boys needs medication that costs around $3,000 a month. Others require visits with psychologists and other medical professionals, and that requires traveling to and from various locations, adding to the expenses. As all children deserve, Damaris has made efforts to ensure that the boys receive some education, contacting locals to tutor the boys so that they don’t fall behind or lose what knowledge they have. Each time the numbers are crunched, Damaris attests to nothing short of a miracle when all expenses are taken care of and needs are met, including operations. Can you imagine the stress and worry that comes with? To be doing this work for so many years and continue to be facing limitations from government funding as well as the daily challenges. For those who have a child in their life who has special needs or disabilities, you know what it is like to feel like you have to constantly fight, to have your child’s voice heard through you and this is what these boys need. They need a community of people to come alongside them and rally for them, partnering in their hopes and dreams, believing in their futures. In a place with so many limitations, it can be easy to feel that not much can be done. We who are in the mainland can be the ones who hold a microphone to the voices of their stories. We can stretch our hearts to love from afar. We can be the tribe that stands with them as they push through in the world to thrive, grow, and learn. 

If you feel compelled to stand with these boys, you can do so by donating directly to the group home by emailing Corina at deleon.corina@gmail.com for details.