By Connie Duran | Board member
Moni arrived at Puerta Abierta when she was just seven years old. She loved to dance and dreamed of becoming a ballerina, but life had already taught her to doubt herself.
For a child who has suffered violence, the future is full of uncertainty. A little girl in a new hone doesn’t know what tomorrow will bring—only that the life she once knew is gone. She has dreams, but they feel distant, like stars she can’t quite reach.
At first, she didn’t believe she could have a future. She worked hard and struggled, she hesitated, and sometimes, she didn’t even try. But we knew she was capable, and our job was to let her know that she would reach her independence and that she would always be loved.
At Puerta Abierta, we do more than provide a safe place to live. We walk beside our girls every step of the way. We listen when they’re scared, we guide them when they feel lost, and we cheer them on when they take even the smallest step forward. We create an environment where they can heal, grow, and envision a future beyond their past struggles.
It took strength, dedication, and countless moments of encouragement to help Moni build the confidence to work toward her goals. There were times she doubted herself—when she stopped trying, when she almost blocked herself from progressing. But we never stopped believing in her.
Finally, when she entered university, something changed. She realized she was capable. She worked hard, balancing her studies with a part-time job at a local health food business. That determination paid off. Today, Moni holds a degree in Marketing and Advertising and manages a branch of a Health Food Store Company in Querétaro.
She has become independent and feels loved. She now lives with her sister, Ana Gaby. She is thriving. She makes us incredibly proud.
A Future of Possibilities
Moni’s story is just one of many at Puerta Abierta. Every day, we support our girls in overcoming their pasts, believing in their futures, and achieving their dreams. With the right support, resilience is built, and new possibilities emerge.
Because at Puerta Abierta, we don’t just provide shelter—we provide hope, empowerment, and the tools for a better tomorrow.
We are very thankful for a very generous anonimous donation received in December which will allow us to keep up giving our girls the opportunity to become independent and self sufficient.
Links:
By Connie Duran Robertson | Board
By Guadalupe Velazquez | Girls Coordinator
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