Building Dreams Community Center

a community center where change happens in SANTA ROSA, COLOMBIA

a building with a bike parked outside of it

About the center

We are proud to announce the inauguration of the Building Dreams Community Center — a modern, vibrant community center in Santa Rosa de Lima, Colombia, that will serve as the hub of all our program activities in this area. Children International’s services, through this new center, reach about 4,000 young people — just under half the number of children and youth between the ages of 5 and 24 currently living in Santa Rosa.

From nutrition and health programs ... to tutoring and computer classes ... to social and financial education and youth leadership training ... to job-training and career-readiness workshops or scholarships for higher education, our programs are interconnected and essential to helping children and youth break the cycle of poverty.

Seeing a young adult who has graduated from our program become a role model for others is powerful. Our children and youth become not only the beneficiaries of program support, but agents of change in their own communities.

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About the community

Since 2002, Children International has been working with children and youth in Santa Rosa, a small urban suburb of Cartagena. The residents of Santa Rosa face many challenging obstacles to a better life, including a lack of proper health care, poor employment opportunities and a dearth of quality schools, infrastructure and public services. Although 25,000 people live in Santa Rosa, the city has only one hospital, three primary schools and one high school.

Santa Rosa’s proximity to several small rivers puts it at risk for flooding and stagnant water, two common causes of medical problems among residents. When it floods, children and youth cannot attend school because the roads are inaccessible. The greatest victims of this hazardous environment are children and youth.

a row of shacks on a dirt road

Thanks to these donors for investing in children

a group of women standing next to each other

Our community centers are places of safety and comfort in the neighborhoods where children and youth go to grow, learn and thrive. One gift can equal a lifetime of giving to communities in need — and we are so grateful for the compassionate donors who have made this community center a reality!

  • Tim Angel & ZUGU Case gifted the lead investment, giving them naming rights to the community center — which will inspire children and youth for decades to come.
  • Louise Sperber funded the sport court, where Sport for Development, leadership activities and important community events will take place.
  • Tadd and Caroline Perkins funded the art and music room, a welcoming space where children and youth are given the opportunities of self-discovery, collaboration and creative expression.
  • Norman Grib funded the dental clinic, where oral health education and procedures are available to families who might not otherwise have access.
“I started my company ZUGU Case back in 2010. We sponsored just a few kids to start but we wanted to make a bigger impact. After seven years of growing our company, we were finally able to make a big, positive impact for the great community of Santa Rosa, and we are very proud to be part of it. We chose the name Building Dreams Community Center because every time children go there they are getting closer to their dreams.”

— Tim Angel, donor

a man and a little girl posing for a picture

Naming opportunities

Make a lifelong impact on children’s futures by naming one of the rooms still available. The very spaces that are changing the lives of kids will honor you or someone you love. We will highlight your investment with a plaque in the available room of your choice, in addition to adding the room name to our website. 

For additional information about the recognition associated with naming opportunities, please contact Global Philanthropy at 800‑888‑4089 or philanthropy@children.org.

Building Dream’s Community Center floor plan

Questions? Contact us!

To provide support or learn more, please contact our Global Philanthropy Team at:

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