By Alexia Salazar, Director of Communications
As many of you know, Kathryn Winn is our Family Program Coordinator. She started working for La Casa in May 2006. Kathy teamed up with Patty, Director of Treatment, and started building each child’s file almost from scratch by looking for family members all around El Salvador. They jumped on La Casa’s van and visited different communities in 9 of the 14 departments of the country. Now, after five years of dedication and very hard work for our children and their biological families, Kathryn is leaving La Casa de mi Padre to be married in Guatemala.
This morning we held a bridal shower for her with La Casa’s team and had a really good time with her. We had breakfast together, had some amuzing games, a very touching performance by one Milagrito, one of our house moms, and at the end, several shared a few words about what Kathryn has meant for us. This is a time of a lot mixed feelings… On one hand, we are happy that she’s leaving to be married to the man of her dreams, and on the other hand we are sad that we are “losing a big part of the heart of La Casa”, as one of our Tios said. Kathryn has been key to the creation and development of our family program, God has gifted her with wisdom, discernment, passion, sense of humor, and a pure and genuine love for each family member that came across easily. “La Gringa” as we affectionately call her, leaves a hole in everyone’s heart and will be greatly missed.
Gringa, we all wish you the best in this new season in your life and pray you keep doing what you do best… Impacting the lives of everyone around you by being the person God has made you. Hasta la vista, Gringa!
Here are some pictures of our friend’s path through the family program and the bridal shower today. Next week, we’ll share more pictures of her good-bye party with the children, staff and families. You can’t miss it!
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Hasta la vista, Kathy!
Por Alexia de Salazar, Directora de Comunicaciones.
Como muchos de ustedes saben, Kathryn Winn es nuestra Coordinadora del Programa Familiar. Ella comenzó a trabajar para La Casa en mayo del 2006. Kathy hizo equipo con Patty, Directora de Tratamiento, y juntas comenzaron a construir el expediente de cada niño, prácticamente de la nada, buscando familiares alrededor de todo El Salvador. Se subieron al vehículo de La Casa y visitaron diferentes comunidades en 9 de los 14 departamentos del país. Ahora, después de cinco años dedicación y trabajo duro por nuestros niños y sus familias biológicas, Kathryn deja La Casa de mi Padre para casarse e en Guatemala.
Hoy por la mañana tuvimos una despedida de soltera para ella con todo el equipo de La Casa, fue un muy buen tiempo. Desayunamos juntos, hicimos algunos juegos típicos de la ocasión, una presentación muy emotiva por parte de Milagritos, una de nuestras Mamás del Hogar, y varios compartimos algunas palabras de lo que Kathy ha significado para nosotros. Este es un tiempo de muchas emociones encontradas… Por un lado, estamos felices que Kathy se vaya para casarse con el hombre de sus sueños, y por el otro, estamos tristes que “estamos perdiendo una gran parte del corazón de La Casa”, como uno de nuestros Tíos dijo. Kathy ha sido una pieza clave en la creación y desarrollo de nuestro programa familiar, Dios la ha dotado de sabiduría, discernimiento, pasión, sentido del humor y un amor puro y genuino por cada miembro de las familias, lo cual se veía fácilmente. “La Gringa”, como cariñosamente le llamamos, deja un hueco en el corazón de todos acá, ¡vamos a extrañarla muchísimo!
Gringa, todos te deseamos lo mejor en esta nueva etapa en tu vida y oramos que sigas haciendo lo que sabés hacer mejor: Impactar la vida de todos a tu alrededor siendo la persona que Dios te ha hecho. ¡Hasta la vista, Gringa!
Compartimos algunas fotos del caminar de nuestra amiga a través del programa familiar y de la despedida de soltera de hoy. La próxima semana, compartiremos más sobre la fiesta de despedida oficial con los niños, el personal y los familiares. ¡No se lo pierdan!
Kathryn, you will be missed by many. We wish you all the best and pray for a long and happy marriage. One filled with love and God the Father at the head of the relationship and home. I have enjoyed our times together and pray our Lord will continue to use you in a mighty way to make a difference in the lives of His children no matter where you are living. Congratulations sister!! Love and hugs, Phyllis and Bob from Roanoke, VA
Thanks for those kind words to Kathryn. We are sure God will keep on using Kathryn wherever she is. We will make sure she gets your message.
Blessings to you, Phyllis!
I know everyone will miss my dear younger sister at La Casa. We have watched her grow and mature over the years that she was there. I know many of the situations she dealt with she could only do with the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Blessings to la gente at La Casa as you move on and adjust to life without La Gringa.
P.S. Don’t let our mom know you call her Kathy!!! That was a big “no no” growing up! 🙂
Rachel, your sister has left a huge whole at La Casa. We were very blessed to have her these five years as she was such an important key in the creation and development of our family program. And… ok, we won´t tell your mom…hahaha!
Blessings!