Jovenes has been a huge part of my life since I first visited in 2013. I fell in love with the boys, the campus, and the mission of JEC. I gained a closer understanding of the life-chaging work being done in Zamorano during my summer as an college intern in 2017. My experience that summer greatly impacted my life: my faith, my worldview, and ultimately my future plans. After graduating from college, I took a gap year in order to volunteer at Jovenes as a Special Projects Manager. I taught English, helped lead mission groups, developed new gift store initiatives, and did whatever I could to be useful; but more importantly, I learned life lessons from the amazing staff and incredible boys that live and work at Jovenes.

I could go on and on about how Jovenes has changed my life, but the purpose and mission of Jovenes is to change the lives of the boys who call JEC home. Jovenes provides for the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the boys who often have faced incredibly traumatic pasts. Jovenes works to break the poverty cycle that cripples the country by raising each boy with Christian values and vital leadership and vocational skills that equip them to becomes leaders in their communities. By supporting Jovenes en Camino, you are investing in the future of these boys as well as supporting the work Jovenes continues to throughout the wider community. Please join me in this Virtual Fiesta Run to help JEC continue living out their mission, "Growing boys into men by fulfilling the words of the Lord Jesus, 'I was a stranger and you invited me in.'"