Mi Casa Kids: Homes That Heal, Families That Last
More than three decades ago, in the middle of El Salvador’s civil war, Bob McDonell walked through the streets of San Salvador and saw children sleeping under newspapers — alone, afraid, and forgotten.
That single moment changed everything.
He felt a calling, not just to feed or clothe them, but to give them a true home.
In 1989, that vision became a reality with the founding of Mi Casa Kids, a sanctuary where children who have suffered abandonment, neglect, or abuse could finally find love, safety, and stability.
Many of our boys have grown into men who lead their homes with the same love they once received here.
A Family in Two Homes
Today, Mi Casa Kids operates with two family-style homes, one for boys and one for girls. Each house is more than a shelter; it’s a living, breathing family led by caregivers lovingly known as Tías and Tíos.
This family model is what sets Mi Casa apart from traditional institutions. Each home holds no more than 18–22 children, ensuring every child is seen, known, and cared for personally. It’s small by design, so every hug, every meal, every bedtime prayer feels like home.
In a world where orphan care can become impersonal, Mi Casa Kids keeps love intimate, consistent, and real.
The Baby Wings Program
At the heart of both homes is the Baby Wings Program, created for infants and toddlers who require additional nurturing and developmental care. These are our youngest children, and tiny lives beginning to heal and trust again.
Here, babies receive personalized attention, early stimulation, proper nutrition, and all the warmth a family can give. Older children naturally become role models, learning empathy and leadership as they help their younger “siblings” thrive.
From the first lullaby to the first step, every milestone is celebrated because each small victory is a sign of hope restored.
More Than Care — A Vision for Life
Mi Casa Kids is not just about providing shelter or meals. It’s about breaking generational cycles and building futures anchored in faith, education, and purpose.
Children attend local schools to stay connected with the broader community. They receive counseling, health care, and life skills training that prepares them for independence.
Day by day, fear turns into trust, and pain turns into peace — all through a foundation built on love, structure, and spiritual growth.
Consistency. Boundaries. Routines. These may sound simple, but at Mi Casa, they are the quiet miracles that help rebuild a child’s sense of safety and belonging.
Our girls create a beautiful family environment, growing together in sisterhood.
A Legacy of Love
Since opening its doors, Mi Casa Kids has welcomed over a hundred children into its family. Many have grown up to pursue education, careers, and families of their own, carrying forward the same values they learned here.
Each story is a living testament that love, structure, and faith can rewrite the narrative of a child’s life.
Mi Casa Kids is not an institution. It’s a family that continues to grow through the generosity and prayers of those who believe that every child deserves to belong.
Join the Story
Every home we open and every baby we welcome is a miracle in motion.
If you’d like to be part of this story, through prayer, volunteering, or financial support, visit MiCasaKids.org.
Together, we can continue to build homes that heal and futures that last.