A Journey of Strength and Family: Rosa’s Story

Note: This blog post was collaboratively written with David Suess and Alejandra Castro of Back2Back.

Rosa* is the proud mother of three children: her eldest daughter Carla, now 20; Nico, age 18; and Sara, age 14.

When her children were still very young, Rosa made the courageous decision to escape a violent home environment. As a single mother, she worked tirelessly to provide for her family, often holding more than one job at a time to make ends meet. The long hours meant her children sometimes spent extended periods alone or under the care of neighbors.

Although she was working hard, Rosa was struggling to provide for her family. During this challenging time, one of Rosa’s friends introduced her to Rancho del Rey Children’s Home, an all-boys’ home on the outskirts of Monterrey, Nuevo León.

In Monterrey (and around the world), many orphanages have taken on the role of poverty alleviation. In fact, research shows that about 80% of children living in orphanages have families who could care for them if the right support were available.

This was the case for Nico. He had a loving mother, but she lacked the resources and stability she needed to care for him. As a result, he was separated from his family.

The children’s home welcomed Nico and assured Rosa that he would be well cared for. They also encouraged her to stay involved and remain part of his journey.

A Mother’s Strength

Meanwhile, Rosa and her daughters entered a women’s shelter, where she began serving in the kitchen and cleaning areas. Her dedication and proactive spirit quickly stood out, and soon, she was entrusted with greater responsibilities.

Her youngest daughter Sara also found ways to contribute, helping care for younger children, assisting with classes, and participating in group activities.

Throughout this period, Rosa remained closely involved in Nico’s life. She was proud of his progress at Rancho del Rey—his friendships, his academic achievements, and his growing confidence. Still, while he was grateful and happy, he deeply missed his mother and longed to live once again with his family.

Eventually, Rosa and her daughters left the shelter and were introduced to the Strong Families Program, led by our partners at Back2Back Mexico. Determined to reunite with her son, Rosa worked tirelessly to create a safe and stable home.

With support and encouragement from our team, she secured housing, established a steady income, and participated in support groups—all essential steps toward bringing Nico home.

Her perseverance paid off. After three years in the children’s home, Nico was successfully reunited with his family as he graduated from middle school.

With support from Back2Back, Nico was able to begin high school—an opportunity that isn’t guaranteed in the community where his family lives. Since the school was located near his grandmother’s home, she welcomed him to live with her, offering both academic and emotional support for Nico and his family.

Freedom from Shame

Many families with similar stories carry a deep sense of shame and disconnection—a belief that they are unworthy of love or belonging. Rosa felt this too.

For months, our team visited her family regularly, offering encouragement, emotional support, and opportunities to reconnect. During that time, the family began visiting a local church community, where they found friendship, purpose, and support.

As their confidence grew, Rosa and her children began participating in a small community outreach near their neighborhood park. Nico, who had been learning guitar, occasionally played music during gatherings. What began as simple visits of encouragement blossomed into a renewed sense of hope, belonging, and connection.

In addition, the Strong Families Program doesn’t just serve immediate families. It strengthens entire support systems, including grandparents and extended relatives. We believe investing in the whole family leads to lasting restoration and helps prevent future separation.

A Spirit of Service

That same spirit of service continues to define Rosa’s family. Together, they volunteer at a local dog shelter, and even provide temporary care for rescue dogs.

Today, two years after Nico’s reintegration, their family is thriving—emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Nico is preparing to enter university to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer. Sara is finishing middle school and excited to begin high school. And Carla, now a mother herself, is caring for her four-month-old baby with the loving support of her family.

Like her mother, Carla is breaking the cycle of adversity and creating a new legacy—one rooted in love, hope, and resilience.

Looking back, Rosa is deeply grateful for the support she received and for the opportunity to remain united with her children. Her family’s story is one of courage, restoration, and love.

Thank you for making stories like this possible. You are changing lives—and together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans. Because every child deserves a family.

*The names of the family members have been changed to protect their identities.