We are excited to announce that Harry Pecunia, member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, has chosen Children Beyond Our Borders as well as Feed & Fortify (partnered with Children Within Our Borders in Orlando) to be the sponsored parties of his toy drive! This is huge because every year he chooses three organizations, and this year two-thirds of the collected toys will be gifted to the children we work with. We are forever grateful for this amazing opportunity to be bringing toys to children locally and abroad.
The locations of the drop off boxes are as followed:
Orlando:
UCF Zeta Tau Alpha House
University House Central Florida
Sigma Pi Lake Claire Event
Gainesville:
Canopy Apartments
 
We hope that you can drop off any toy of your choice if you are around these locations. We can tell you first-hand how humble and appreciative our CBOB and CWOB kids truly are. We will keep you updated with any further details.  Have a wonderful day,
Love CBOB
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        Children Beyond Our Borders, Inc. had its second annual gala, Passport to Peace, on October 3 at the Florida Hotel in Orlando. THe proceeds benefitted the IAMCBOB scholarship program, which provides motivated students from Colombia the necessary funding to attend college. In exchange, the scholars act as leaders through their service to empower other youth in their communities.

        Passport to Peace brought together CBOBers from all over the state, which provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate an extremely successful year that has allowed for CBOB’s programs to expand. This year of success was made possible through the dedication, passion and hard work of the directors, interns, members, volunteers and supporters.

        “It was a really family-like atmosphere at gala,” said Leanne Rodriguez, the Development and Community Outreach Intern. “Everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves so much.”

        Awards were given to recognize certain people who have played an integral role in the success of CBOB. The WE ARE CBOB awards were presented for the first time and given to the interns that have gone above and beyond for CBOB. This award was presented to Juanita Buitrago, Anna Diakun and Tatiana Paz.           
        Natalie Jiron received intern of the year for all her hard work.

        ​Adam Mickler received volunteer of the year. He quickly earned the admiration of all the children he met on his bound for peace trip. “You’re a person filled with kindness and friendship. I will never forget the young man that made me see how beautiful friendship can be,” said one of the children at Hogar Maria Isabel de Bedout about him.

        CBOB’s Medical and Public Health Opportunity volunteer of the year award was given to Andres Guerrero and Elizabeth Castaneda for their excellent service.

        The CBOBer of the Year was given to Gaby Garcia, who is the Public Relations Director for CBOB’s University of Florida chapter.

        The alumni of the year award was given to Dragana Tabakovic for her continued passion for CBOB.

        The student chapter member of the year award was given to Sasha Alvarenga and Acacia Douglas for their support of UF CBOB.

        The e-board member of the year award was given to Taylor Palmer from FSU for all her help bringing CBOB to FSU.

        ​And last but certainly not least, the Executive Director Andrea Ortega got engaged at gala! Congratulations on behalf of the CBOB family!

Say hello to Children Within Our Borders (CWOB), the newest addition to our CBOB family! We are so excited to announce that we have started motivating and supporting children through their educational endeavors in the Gainesville and Orlando areas.

In Gainesville, we are working with Gators for Equal Opportunity (GEO), an organization whose primary purpose is to promote volunteer service in underprivileged communities. We have paired up with them to tutor and mentor children of local migrant workers on a weekly basis. 

In Orlando, we are working with Feed and Fortify Community Organization Inc. (FFCO). Feed and Fortify, feeds children and families in need in the Central Florida area and fortifies talents, helping children and young people develop their potential. CWOB helps work with homeless families and is holding two events in the next few weeks: one October 17th, and a Halloween special on October 31st.

Through education, empowerment, and the support of our community, we inspire these children to thrive to the best of their abilities. Children Within Our Borders gives our student chapter members the opportunity to positively influence the lives of children and to make a difference in their local communities.

To find out more about Gators for Equal Opportunity, Feed and Fortify Community Organization Inc., and Children Within Our Borders, please visit this site.

​     Yosimar Becerra was welcomed to America at the Fort Lauderdale Airport on August 3 by the Children Beyond Our Borders’ family. Yosimar is one of Children Beyond Our Borders’ IAMCBOB scholars, and he was selected to represent his university in Cartagena, Colombia, at the Northwestern State University study abroad program. CBOB raised $2,645 to help Yosimar with his college expenses, and the CBOB family couldn't be prouder of all his accomplishments so far. 

      “Being in America was one of my dreams since I have been hearing about this country and its culture since I was a child. The diversity of everything that you find here makes you open your mind and learn in a different way,” says Yosimar.

     Yosimar cherishes the education and experiences Northwestern is providing him. He has met many new friends who have welcomed him making his transition across countries much easier. He is majoring in Hospitality Management and Tourism because he is passionate about learning new languages, traveling, meeting new people, learning about different cultures and helping others.

      “It allows you to be an international person and to learn more about the world, the more you travel, the more experienced you get in your life,” says Yosimar.

      Yosimar has been flourishing at Northwestern. He is currently taking five classes: fundamentals of speech, organization and management, meal management, lodging management, and property and equipment management. He is thrilled that he has the opportunity to expand upon his knowledge of the tourism industry and learn from incredible teachers. He has made all A’s on exams recently on top of landing two interviews for potential internships at the Hampton Inn and Sonic Drive-In.

     "That's my way to say thank you to CBOB for everything they have done for me," says Yosimar.

     His favorite class is fundamentals of speech because he hopes to use the skills that this class is teaching him to speak to his community in Colombia about how they can improve their lives. Yosimar is a role model for his community back at home. He wants to take every opportunity that is given to him here, so he can have to opportunity to give back to his community and family.

     "I want to help my family to have a brighter future and quality of life so I will do my best in order they can be happy and enjoy life to the fullest. I want to be involved in programs in my community where we can develop new ways to help children and encourage them to make their dreams true. I would love to guide them if it's necessary by showing them that you just need to be passion for what you want in your life and then there would not be any obstacle that can stop you from getting that for you," said Yosimar.