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. Orlando, FL - Children Beyond Our Borders, Inc. (CBOB) helps to construct a pathway of education for children and youth that are affected by armed conflict and social injustice. To help our mission statement get in motion we are having our Annual Gala, which is our biggest event of the year and we want YOU to become a part of it! This year’s theme is “Passport to Peace.” This will be a black tie attire event. There will be various items up for auction that range from autographed sporting merchandise from Orlando City Soccer, Tampa Bay Rays to tickets for “The Crayola Experience,” located at The Florida Mall and MANY more. CBOB provides service trips every year for volunteers to serve in Colombia, Nicaragua and Ecuador. Passionate volunteers from our partnered colleges (UF, FSU, UCF) volunteer and help make our dream of spreading education and awareness come true. Guidance, cultural immersion and social venture are the objectives we aspire to attain during these trips. What makes CBOB special is the fact that we consider each other family, and we are a driven organization that puts a strong emphasis on teamwork. Every member will receive the same level of respect because we believe this mission is beyond us, it’s for our future leaders! “I would absolutely recommend this trip to a friend or to a classmate or to anyone, really! It is an absolutely incredible and life-changing experience. There is just nothing like having the chance to impact the lives and futures of the youth in the communities in which we work! While we go to teach them, we end up learning more than we ever imagined from them. The experience just cannot be put into words.” - A Bound for Peace Volunteer Come find out what it means to volunteer, how to give back to the local communities and enjoy a night of dancing, dinner, silent auction and great energy! Education = Empowerment. Add yourself to the equation. Tickets will be on sale until September 30, 2015. All attending ticket purchases include a flavorful dinner as well as a heartwarming keepsake. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit: www.chbob.org/gala Bon Voyage! Sponsors of the Event Tijuana Flats Lion Country Safari Crayola Experience NY Sky Ride Top of The Rock - Rockefeller Center Drew Smyly NFL Buccaneers Walt Disney World Orlando City Soccer and many more! For more information contact: Paulina Magaña & Daniela Bulla Children Beyond Our Border Inc. Public Relations and Social Media Interns (863) 234-7438 (561)275-4581 | prnoflo@chbob.org chbob.org|www.facebook.com/cbobinc Thank you to everyone who came out to make Yosimar's debut experience in the United States one for the books! If you weren't able to make it out, here's what you missed! A wonderful group of CBOBers old and new greeted Yosi upon his arrival at the Fort Lauderdale airport, and then ventured to Texas Roadhouse for his welcome dinner. He spent the next few days living it up in style on Miami beach! Check back in for a recap of Yosimar's Orlando experience!
We are extremely excited to announce that our very own CBOB scholar, Yosimar Palacios, is officially coming to the United States to study abroad at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana! We could not be more proud of everything Yosimar has accomplished. We are so excited to not only witness his incredible journey, but also to spend some time with him before sending him off! We invite you to join us in welcoming Yosimar as he travels to Miami, Orlando, and Gainesville, Florida in the weeks before studying abroad. Read on for a detailed itinerary of events! AUGUST 3 | Miami, Florida: Our very own CBOB scholar Yosimar Palacios will officially achieve his biggest dream! He will land in American soil for the first time. Here, Yosimar will be greeted at Fort Lauderdale International Airport in South Florida. We are asking those that want to join in the celebration to be there at 7pm! Yosimar will be staying in Miami, FL until the 6th of August.
AUGUST 6 | Orlando, Florida: Yosimar will travel with Andrea Ortega, our Executive Director to Orlando, FL to meet CBOB headquarters. He will spend about a week touring the multicultural city - the city where all the "love happens". Orlando is a great place for Yosi to experience a conglomeration of American culture. The city also exhibits the lives of migrant workers that have achieved stable and happy lives in America.
Welcome to Orlando: August 8th, Noon Location: Downtown Orlando, Lake Eola 512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801 (407) 246-4484 Orlando City Soccer Game, 7:30pm Location: Orlando Citrus Bowl 1 Citrus Bowl Pl, Orlando, FL 32805 (407) 440-5700
AUGUST 12 | Gainesville, Florida: Finally, before Yosimar heads of to begin his last semester in his undergraduate career in Louisiana he will travel with Gina Castano to Gainesville, FL home of the Gators! Here, he will have the opportunity to interact with the rest of our developmental staff and supporters that have been part of his Journey! CBOB will host a very special fundraising event to meet and greet with his CBOB family. Gainesville Arrival: August 12th, 8pm Location: Mother’s Pub $3 Burgers 1017 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 (352) 378-8135 University of Florida Tour: August 13th, 11am
Be on the lookout for more updates on Yosimar's journey!
Our Scholars have begun implementing their projects with our partner foundation in Envigado, Colombia. Erick and Davian went to visit our girls at Hogar Maria Isabel and did an arts and crafts workshop. Davian is currently attending college for graphic design and likes to use the arts as a medium to grow and be a better person. This was one of his dreams. EnglishI feel very happy, blessed and grateful to have a wonderful opportunity like this. Being able to go to the United States is a dream that I have had since childhood, I have always been interested in the culture of this country and to go not only to visit but also to study is something that makes this much more enriching experience. I can not wait to be able to be sharing with all of you and learning new things that will be beneficial in my life. I can not wait to meet all CBOB volunteers who make all these dreams are possible, they are changing lives through their beautiful work. Through this opportunity will help you be a better prepared to face the challenges of the labor person, I want to use this experience to grow professionally and increase my knowledge. No doubt this experience will allow me to many more doors open in my future and serve as an example for all those people who think that you can not succeed, this will help them see that if you have a dream you should give it your everything to make it happen. You might not overcome everything in the beginning but you can't give up because every day you closer to fulfill that dream and that the only thing that can happen is you will achieve it. In a few days I have the appointment to get my student visa, I am very excited that this day will soon arrive and trusted in God that everything will be fine. This will be one of the best days of my life. For all the people who have donated really no words to express how I feel about them right now, anything you say may be sufficient to demonstrate the deep appreciation that I have and how blessed I am to have such special people like you. Knowing that there are people in this world who are able to give to others without any interest or expecting anything in return is something extraordinary, love is a wonderful feeling and that is what drives many to help without limits, even people who I do not know have donated and that is incredible. I hope to meet you all soon and thank those people personally. All are making a dream come true, are changing someone's life and I'm sure there's no better way to pay that seeing positive changes and to know that through your help I have the ability to have a better future. EspañolMe siento muy feliz, bendecido y agradecido de tener una maravillosa oportunidad como esta. El poder ir a Estados Unidos es un sueño que tengo desde pequeño, siempre he estado interesado en la cultura de este país y el poder ir no solo a visitar sino también a estudiar es algo que hace esta experiencia mucho más enriquecedora. No veo la hora de poder estar compartiendo con todos y aprendiendo nuevas cosas que serán beneficiosas en mi vida. No veo la hora de conocer a todos los voluntarios de CBOB, quienes hacen que todos estos sueños sean posibles, ellos son los que cambian vidas por medio de su hermoso trabajo. Por medio de esta oportunidad deseo lograr ser una persona más preparada para enfrentarme a los retos del mundo laboral, quiero aprovechar esta experiencia para crecer profesionalmente y aumentar mis conocimientos. Sin duda alguna esta experiencia me permitirá que se abran muchas más puertas en mi futuro y servirá como ejemplo para todas esas personas que piensan que no es posible salir adelante, esto les ayudara a ver que si se puede, algo que siempre he dicho es que cuando tienes un sueño deber dar todo de ti para hacerlo realidad, no te puedes dejar vencer sino más bien pensar que cada día estas más cerca de cumplirlo y que el único que puede lograr eso suceda eres tú. Dentro de unos días tengo la cita para obtener mi visa de estudiante, estoy muy emocionado de que ese día llegue pronto y confió en Dios que todo saldrá bien. Sera uno de los mejores días de mi vida. Para todas las personas que han donado en realidad no tengo palabras para expresar lo que siento por ellos en estos momentos, nada de lo que diga puede ser suficiente para demostrar el profundo agradecimiento que tengo y lo bendecido que estoy de poder contar con personas tan especiales como ustedes. El saber que hay personas en este mundo que son capaces de dar a otros sin ningún interés ni esperando nada a cambio es algo extraordinario, el amor es un sentimiento maravilloso y eso es lo que mueve a muchos a ayudar sin límites, incluso personas que no me conocen han donado y eso me alegra mucho. Espero conocer a esas personas pronto y agradecerles personalmente. Todos están haciendo un sueño realidad, están cambiando la vida de alguien y estoy seguro que no hay mejor forma de pagarles que viendo cambios positivos y el que sepan que a través de su ayuda tengo la posibilidad de tener un mejor futuro. Gabriela is a 2nd year civil engineering student and will be on our Development and Community Outreach Team. Jazmin, a 3rd year political science major, will be interning for the Fundraising Team. Alexa (FYCS and Pre-Physician) and Sophia (FYCS) are both second years who will be working together on our PR & Social Media Team. Look out for all kinds of awesome work from them! #CBOBlove
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