LOVE AT WORK MINISTRIES INC

In an effort to reduce poverty and help create safe streets, Love At Work Ministries is working to improve access to and the quality of education, technical training and higher-learning opportunities; provide leadership, innovation, community service and outreach initiatives; create jobs and increased earning potential for vulnerable children, youth and families living in the historically marginalized and economically-disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods.

Love At Work Ministries is investing in the infrastructure, equipment and human resources of its school and expanding our programs to:

1. Accommodate more students in our daycare, kindergarten, preparatory, primary, secondary education and vocational / technical programs.

2. Increase the number of kids receiving university and vocational / technical degrees and provide more jobs for those graduating from our programs.

3. Provide leadership, innovation & community service programs that promote development of people to perform individually, collectively and contribute to the welfare of society.

4. Expand our community outreach programs (camps / retreats / youth programs) to create opportunities for out-of-school and underserved children in the “risky areas."

5. Use our facilities to provide other education & skills training opportunities & alternative activities (recreational and cultural) to the community.

6. Expand our ongoing efforts to improve the living conditions and basic services for children and families in difficult situations.

People: We have a competent, dedicated and satisfied staff. Our board provides effective leadership. We're blessed with hundreds of volunteers who are enthusiastic and involved.

Processes: Our internal processes and systems consistently deliver on the mission, vision and plan. We have created value from our donors through a strong technological platform with the ministry's website and online donation services.

Financial: Our donors are satisfied with the direction of the ministry and are committed to the vision. Many are not just "givers" but "advocates" for the ministry.

Programs: Our strategy for revitalization brings together elements of the community to work in the most precarious (“risky") neighborhoods . . . making infrastructure improvements, meeting basic needs for food, water, sanitation and medical care, providing neighborhood support through outreach events and programs, camps, discipleship and improving access to quality education.  

Our efforts have broken down barriers and built friendships, trust and understanding.  This is our most important community asset and gives us a strong foundation to build sustainable development going forward.

The most transformational thing Love At Work is doing is our school. The vision is to students begin their educational experience with us as early as age three and continue to develop in a holistic way (mentally, physically, spiritually and socially) through high school and university. We envision them returning as leaders who will revitalize their community.

With 15 years of service to the community, we're seeing a real difference in kids' lives by actually solving the problems of poverty and educational quality they have! We have seven students in university now, and several more are ready to enroll in a matter of a few months.

Of course, not every situation has turned out perfect. It is so tough for these kids to escape poverty and all that goes with it. Suffering has been a journey for them, but they have exhibited tremendous faith in circumstances that would render most people incapable of functioning. Just a few years ago, nobody raised a hand in their neighborhoods when asked about plans to go to college. Now it's seen as a real possibility.

The school has gained tremendous respect in the area and with the Ministry of Education. As a result, we're attracting new students and families to the school. From an enrollment of 32 in 2013, we enter the 2019 school year with 258 students. We now have several students in university. In addition, we started a new Life Center in the heart of the slums where, in 2010, we enrolled 300 students who go to public school in our daily tutoring program, where they are also fed a nourishing meal.

We are building the organizational capacity to fulfill the vision. We strongly believe in the gifted and committed teachers and staff of this incredibly good place. What they are doing is a gift of unspeakable value in God's Kingdom. Many are qualified to teach at the university level but have chosen to be with us because they share our values and believe in the vision.

We are one of the biggest employers in Alajuelita, and all of our people are paid an excellent salary, social security and pension benefits . . . in full and on time.

Our biggest challenge is to raise the financial resources to expand the margins of our ministry and open up new avenues of service.