Who We Are
At Friends of El Faro, we are dedicated to creating a brighter future for the children of Casa Hogar Sion. Every day, we work to provide a safe, nurturing environment, access to education, and the essentials of food, clothing, and care—making a meaningful difference, one child at a time.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple – to show up and help improve the lives of the children of Casa Hogar Sion in anyway we can. Long term, our goal is to purchase land and build them a new home. In the mean time there are hungry children to feed, to shelter, keep safe and send to school.
Casa Hogar Sion
In 1999, Mama Carmen and Papa Jorge Gonzales opened the doors of their home to a few abandoned children living on the streets. Word quickly spread, and before long, children were being dropped off in the middle of the night by relatives who could no longer care for them or were fearful due to a history of abuse.
Six years ago, using their retirement savings, Mama Carmen and Papa Jorge purchased a small piece of land in Tijuana and built Casa Hogar Sion—formerly known as El Faro 2. Within months of this brave new beginning, they had become “parents” to more than 60 children. In those early days, food was often scarce, and the lights would sometimes go out as the home struggled to stay afloat.
Caring for nearly 100 children has not been without its challenges, but thanks to the unwavering love, strength, and devotion of Mama Carmen, Papa Jorge, and their dedicated staff, the orphanage has grown and thrived. With support from affiliated churches, independent volunteers, and both private and corporate donors, the home now includes a full compound of buildings. All the children attend school—some even go to private schools and trade tech programs. There's a computer lab with 10 networked computers, offering classes five days a week.
Mama Carmen’s mission goes beyond providing safety and shelter. She is committed to giving her children the opportunities and hope that only education can offer. By focusing on education and leading with compassion, she, Papa Jorge, and the staff are not only caring for this generation—but preparing the next.
Our History
Since November of 2000, Adam Smith and his wife Leigh Kilton-Smith have been traveling with a circle of friends to Tijuana, Mexico every four to five weeks to spend the weekend with the more than 80 children of “Casa Hogar Sion” orphanage. They met Jim McAleer in 2001 and together today, the three friends raise support for Sion through quarterly one day, there and back bus trips to the home and donations from friends and family.
It is here, where children, who have been abandoned or abused or neglected, have found a home, a place where they are safe and cared for, nourished and loved. It is here, where the Friends of El Faro do what they can to take care of the children, and Mama Carmen and Papa Jorge and the staff, remarkable people who have created a home for children who did not have one.
Everything from cooking meals—so many meals, to drying tears, wiping noses, lots of hugs, playing games, talking, listening, breaking up fights and mediating peace; building playgrounds, changing diapers, showing outdoor movies, popping popcorn, and most importantly, letting the children know, and showing them that they are loved and cherished and important.
Over the years, more than 1,000 people have visited Sion on our trips – and when the orphanage lost their major funding several years ago, the friends of el faro rallied to put on a fundraiser to raise money to take care of our children. From that day to this, we make sure the lights are on, food is on the table, and school needs are met. They are all our children.