It's named "Casa Milagros" for a reason.

It was Monday, April 21, 2025. The sun was shining a little faintly, as if still fully waking up. At 10:08 a.m., I took my first steps into a building that stands defiantly, almost impossibly, on the hillside of San Juan de Lurigancho in Lima, Peru. I was warmly welcomed into what is known as “Casa Milagros” (House of Miracles), a name that feels both poetic and prophetic, as its very architecture seems to demonstrate Make a Miracle’s mission to do the impossible.

Some might call it just a wellness center. Others might refer to it as the headquarters of a nonprofit. But for me, it's a home. Judging by the faces and smiles of the children, who are still blissfully unaware of social divides, human hardship, and the depths of suffering that exist in our world, it truly feels like one. Unfortunately for those who have shed the rose colored glasses that come with childhood innocence, physical and emotional hardships have left their mark.

Mothers of all ages, with an unbreakable desire to see at least one of the dreams they had as little girls come true, wait—hoping for good news, a glimpse of opportunity, even the smallest spark of success. Every bit counts. Any progress is enough when it moves you toward change, when it closes painful chapters, when it breaks cycles, when it prevents history from repeating itself. That home, that glimpse of hope, that almost-utopian slice of heaven, that is Make a Miracle.

It’s been just over 60 days since I was entrusted with the role of Managing Director of this incredible mission in Peru, and not a single day has passed without a new testimony crossing our path. Each day, someone arrives at our door searching for an opportunity, and more often than not, seeking to escape the harsh realities of their lives. This time has allowed me to get to know the families who are part of this mission and, more importantly, to witness the incredible impact Make a Miracle has had in this part of the country. It’s a ripple effect of change meant to reach every corner of our nation—for anyone who still believes there’s hope, who knows things don’t have to stay the same, and who understands that all it takes is a willing heart to make a difference in your own life or the life of others.

Today, we build homes for those forced by fate to live in survival mode. We provide university and technical education for those who believe that true transformation begins with learning. We work with community members to uncover talents and strengths that can lead to employment that keeps them from living daily wage to daily wage. But most importantly, we build lives, heal souls, and lift the hearts of every person who sees Make a Miracle as a gateway to a better world. After this time working alongside my team, I can confidently say that Make a Miracle is more than just a nonprofit—it’s more than an opportunity. It’s a home where lives are transformed and souls are renewed.