Justice and Human Rights Mexico Project #43995

Help Adults with Disabilities in Mexico Create Art

by El Arca en Queretaro IAP

Project Report | Jul 12, 2025
El Arca en Queretaro was at the UN COSP18!!!

By Araceli Bravo | Community Leader

L'Arche delegates at the UN headquarters

Summer greetings from members of El Arca en Querétaro, we have news that fills us with pride!

This past month, our community was invited by the International Federation of L’Arche to participate in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) within the 18th Conference of States Parties (COSP18) at the UN Headquarters in New York City.

This invitation is a recognition of the work our community has been doing for years in human rights, community living, and inclusion, framed within the Social Model of Disability and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN 2030 Agenda — especially SDG 5 (Gender equality), 8 (Decent work and economic inclusion), and 10 (Reduction of inequalities).

A member of our board along with delegates from L'Arche in Spain, Argentina and the USA, met with representatives and partners from around the world. They shared experiences and learnings and discussed how we can all work together to transform our society - a world of dignity, rights, opportunities, and community - a world where everyone belongs.

Antonio Sánchez from Spain delivered a statement from L’Arche addressing one of the key themes of the Conference this year:

“Let us recognize the value and contributions of every person and our interconnectedness. Today, many people are excluded, isolated – our societies are distracted, disconnected, and polarized. Our world will only meet our sustainable development goals when everyone belongs. At L’Arche, we work to be authentically present – to listen, learn, and create progress together. We celebrate diversity and know that community is a powerful resource for change. Let us invest in human connection, community, and genuine participation. Human connection and community are vital human needs, and they are essential for true progress. Let us invest beyond services – let us invest in belonging.” (Taken from L’Arche Satetment)

Thanks to every friend, family, donor, and ally who makes our mission possible. With your support we continue to strengthen the network that leads us to a more inclusive, just, and humane society — especially for people with intellectual disabilities.

If you are called to help out again, GlobalGiving will be matching funds received on July 16th during the July Bonus Day Campaign.

Gratitude and blessings!

Joanna, Nicole, Esther and Antonio at the UN CRPD

TENNECO volunteers with members of our workshop

Links:

Permalink

Mar 17, 2025
El Arca en Queretaro celebrates its 25 Anniversary

By Mireille Kheirallah | Coordinator of crowd funding

Celebrating 25 years of El Arca en Queretaro :))

Warm greetings from Querétaro dear friends and supporters of our community! We hope you have started a good year despite all the challenges that seem to be present in many countries and on many fronts.

In our community, the beneficiaries in the home and workshop are doing well and are busy in their daily activities. A friend from Europe recently visited Mexico and our El Arca workshop for the first time. She was happily surprised and delighted by the welcome she received from our beneficiaries, experiencing the abundance, diversity and beauty of their creations. She returned home having purchased several gift items from the workshop, and with her heart full of “love and colors” in her own words.

El Arca in Querétaro has actually come a long way before getting to where we are now. This past December, our community celebrated its 25^th anniversary. It was a very joyful event held in a downtown cultural center, with the presence of many friends, donors, family members, present and former staff, community leaders, and Board members. Those present shared tasty appetizers and a delicious anniversary cake, all produced with loving care by the participants in our workshop. Along with singing and dancing, it was also a time for remembering, reflecting and appreciating the challenges and the many significant accomplishments reached! We recalled and celebrated the dedication and support of our founding members and the numerous individuals, groups and organizations who have made it all possible. We were also deeply moved to recognize and value the gifts we have abundantly received simply from having persons with intellectual disabilities touch our lives. Accompanying their journeys with El Arca is truly a win-win arrangement!

We thank you for your interest in our mission and your continued support. With your help, we hope to continue transforming people’s lives, moving together toward a more inclusive and just society. If you are called to help El Arca, GlobalGiving will be matching funds received during the Little x Little Campaign, March 25-28. Donations up to $50 (USD) will be matched at 50%!! Your generosity makes a huge difference!

Best regards and blessings to you and your loved ones.

Dulce and Bertha, a 25 year friendship!

Our very own Moises "Jackson" animating the fiesta

Sample of the workshop's beautiful art and crafts

Links:

Permalink

Nov 7, 2024
Fall greetings from El Arca en Queretaro

By Mireille Kheirallah | Project Leader

Community members with David Filio in his concert

Greetings from sunny Querétaro dear friends and supporters of our community!

October was a good month as we were finally able to fulfill some fundraising events that were planned long time ago. A famous Mexican folk singer, David Filio, granted us a delightful evening of singing and storytelling in a beautiful outdoor setting and a warm community environment. Some of the beneficiaries presented him, some sang with him while others prepared gratitude gifts including the painting of his own dog. It was also a good occasion for the people with disabilities to showcase and sell their artistic products either made in our workshop or in their own family business.

And just about a week ago, 90 players participated in the Ninth Golf Tournament for the benefit of El Arca. What started as a cold cloudy morning culminated in a very lively luncheon in the gardens of the golf course. Players, sponsors, organizers and community members all interacted in a very jovial atmosphere, where winners were awarded trophies and prizes, and our beneficiaries performed two Mexican folk dances. They had also prepared some of the raffle prizes and presented two beautiful paintings for the auction. In addition to raising funds and awareness for our mission, the most satisfying part was realizing the ease and confidence with which the beneficiaries interacted with people around them, the grace with which they danced, and the thorough enjoyment of being part of the celebration!! It is truly on such occasions that we realize the depth of the impact that El Arca has on the personal lives of many people with intellectual disabilities.

We thank you for your interest in our mission and hope you enjoy learning about the impact of your support. Wishing you success and joy in all your endeavors, we send you blessings to you and your loved ones.

Gratitude gifts to David Filio

El Arca's products on sale at the golf tournament

Ready to eat at the tournament's luncheon!!

Folk dance at the golf tournament

Auction winner with member of the community

Links:

Permalink

1 2 3 4 5 6 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.