Hogar Alegria - PDX

12/11/2024

Christmas Greetings!

For all of you who have supported us in the past – Thank You!

We have been doing this for over 12 years, and the need never abates. Demand is always high for Hogar’s services, providing shelter, care, and compassion to elders in need in the Dominican Republic, but the ability to fund those demands is a constant challenge - but we keep at it!

Please consider making a little room in your Holiday Donation box for Hogar Alegria. A little goes a long way and anything else makes it that much sweeter. You can donate by clicking this link.

One more thing; my daughter, Ameena Amdahl Mason has joined Hogar Alegria to handle our administrative chores. She has offered her time and expertise to assist us in any way she can.

Thank you again -

Steve Amdahl – Executive Director, Hogar Alegria - PDX

05/05/2024

Greetings all,

Since 1973 Hogar Alegria has provided a refuge to those elders in the area who have nowhere else to go. They are mostly without family or resources to support themselves.

The vision of James Meuree (Padre Santiago) was to establish a place for these folk where they could spend their remaining years, experiencing shelter, care, compassion, and fellowship.

I knew the Padre back in 1970 when the concept of Hogar was first developing in his mind. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic at the time and got to know him well. It was through his perseverence that Hogar Alegria came to pass and continues to this day.

Funding for Hogar is an ongoing challenge. Individual contributions help to support the daily operations of Hogar, and with additional funding, more elder folks can be served. Please consider a gift to Hogar so that its services can be extended to others in need. Go to our website: https://hogaralegria.org/how-to-help/ to contribute.

Thank you,

Steve Amdahl – Executive Director

12/17/2021

December 2021

First of all, a big 'THANK YOU' to all of you who have donated to Hogar Alegria this fall. You are helping folks like Eduardo and Maria, who are able to live at Hogar, by supporting 'Cots and Caring at Christmas'.

I have mentioned before that Hogar was originally built to house approximately 100 folks, but with no provision for additional beds and staff, only about 45 can be cared for currently.

If you are still in the midst of Christmas giving, please consider a tax-free donation to our 'Cots and Caring' program at Hogar Alegria.

Thank you, and a Merry Christmas to all, from the residents and staff of Hogar Alegria - www.hogaralegria.org

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo!

Steve Amdahl - Executive Director

Hogar Alegria-PDX
P.O. Box 25758
Portland OR 97225

10/17/2021

Hogar Alegria continues to provide shelter, care, and compassion to its current 41 ancianos (elders). Fortunately, COVID has not been a big problem, with only a few of the residents becoming ill.

We do appreciate you looking at our web page, hogaralegria.org again, especially you new folks who have found us and like what we do. If you are interested in being on our mailing list please contact us at [email protected]

Also, the use of the DONATE button on our webpage is always appreciated, and helps Hogar to continue its daily work.

12/01/2020

December 2020

Here we are in the midst of a strange Holiday season. At Hogar Alegria life does go on, and fortunately, the impact of Covid has been minimal. Also, the number of ancianos has been relatively stable, averaging about 50 this winter. Finding sufficient care givers and other resources for Hogar's daily operations continues to be an on-going challenge.

So, as in each year of Hogar's existence, operating capital determines how many elderly folk can be served. For those of you who have contributed in the past, Thank You! It has been through your help that Hogar has been able to function in its goal of providing Shelter, Care and Compassion to elders in need. And, know that all donations go directly to Hogar Alegria.

Another way to support Hogar is in using AmazonSmile – Hogar Alegria-Pdx, for any Amazon purchase. Simply indicate your desire to utilize AmazonSmile and a donation from Amazon goes straight to Hogar Alegria-PDX.

As was mentioned last year, my plan was to gather miscellaneous dental supplies/equipment to personally deliver to Hogar. By the first part of March I had materials in hand but because of Covid, it was necessary to postpone any travel to Santo Domingo. We all know the restrictions that we must now deal with, so until there is a change in the Covid situation I am currently on hold as far as travel is concerned.

Each day is taken in stride, with residents helping each other. Yes, life is a bit more difficult now, but everyone is doing their part and observing the rules designed to keep them safe and in good health.

Thank you again for your support. You can find us at http://hogaralegria.org/.

12/03/2019

November 2019

Dear Friends,

Life goes on at Hogar Alegria at its steady, but measured pace. Each day is focused on meeting the ancianos (elders) most basic needs. There are currently 45 ancianos who reside at Hogar Alegria. This is an increase of about 20 in the last year or so. And yet the staff continues to provide a warm, loving, safe and secure environment with the resources at hand which includes three meals a day as well as attention to a myriad of medical and other needs. Almost all the elders have no family, but become 'family' to each other.

There is currently space available to accommodate up to 100 individuals. To do so, however, requires additional funding to cover the many expenses including food, basic life amenities, utilities, and a trained staff of care givers.

Hogar Alegria (www.hogaralegria.org) has been providing shelter, care and compassion to elders since 1978. It was started to address a very pressing need – caring for the elderly poor without family, and with no other place to go. Amazingly, even though daily faced with challenging circumstances, Hogar has been able to survive because of the generous support of people like you.

Moreover, recently I have been offered dental hand tools that may be put to good use at Hogar – possibly to entice a dentist in Neiba to work with these under served folk. We are attempting to couple this generous donation with others to help meet some basic, but unmet dental needs. My hope is to personally take this equipment to Neiba early next year. I'll keep you posted on the progress of this project.

Please know that any and all donations sent to Hogar Alegria-PDX are tax deductible and go directly to Hogar Alegria, Neiba, Dominican Republic.

Thank you for your ongoing support,

Steve Amdahl – Executive Director, Hogar Alegria-PDX

P.S. Please note our new mailing address:
Hogar Alegria-PDX
PO Box 25758
Portland, OR 97225

11/15/2018

Greetings to All,

I know that it's been awhile since the last Hogar Alegria update. But know that life goes on there at its own pace. The residents continue to receive the care and compassion from the staff that has been a hallmark of Hogar.

And with the coming holiday season quickly upon us, we will be asked to remember any number of programs and projects requesting our help.

Hogar Alegria is a program that I strongly support and would ask that you consider sharing some holiday joy by sending the folks at Hogar a holiday donation. Check out Hogar's website www.hogaralegria.org for the all important 'Donate' button.

Thank you so much - the good work being done at Hogar can continue thanks to your individual contributions.

Sincerely,

Steve Amdahl, Executive Director - Hogar Alegria-PDX

12/07/2016

Dear Friends - Did you know that more than a third of the citizens of the Dominican Republic lives on less than $1.25 a day? Most of that poverty is concentrated in the rural areas like Neiba where Hogar Alegria is located.

Healthcare is expensive and access to it is hard to find in rural areas that are often overlooked by the government with its limited resources.

Moreover, natural disasters constantly threaten rural areas where there is little or no infrastructure to assist and rebuild.

It is in this setting that Hogar Alegria attempts to provide care for the twenty-five or so “ancianos” who are totally dependent on the caring staff for daily services including shelter, food and healthcare. These warm-hearted elders have little or no resources to care for themselves.

Our heartfelt thanks to all of you in 2016 who have helped us provide continuing healthcare. We’ve almost reached our goal. We trust that with your continued support, we will be able to provide this level of care in 2017.

All your donations go directly to the support of the elderly residents and staff. Your gift to them this season is greatly appreciated.

Please go to our website www.hogaralegria.org to make your donation.

Gracias, and ¡Feliz Navidad!
Steve

10/10/2016

Greetings All -

Thank you for your concern about the status of the ancianos and staff at Hogar Alegria. They appear to have weathered the storm. While we are grateful that Neiba and a large portion of the Dominican Republic were spared severe damage from Hurricane Matthew, our neighbors to the west in Haiti were not so fortunate.

The heavy winds and rain have destroyed not only homes and businesses, but also the farms and gardens on which so many Haitians rely.

There has been an outpouring of help and aid that is making its way into the country by a number of charitable groups. One of these ,the Haiti Foundation of Hope, has been serving the Haitian people for over 20 years by providing food, shelter, potable water and medical assistance to those stricken by this deadly storm.

If you are moved to help, you can learn more about this organization by going to
http://haitifoundationofhope.org/

Gracias,

Steve (hogaralegria.org)

02/21/2016

Continuing the on-site doctor program is the current focus of Hogar Alegria, along with establishing a small medical laboratory.
This will allow not only better care, but effective cost savings as well.
See www.hogaralegria.org (especially the 'How To Help' button!)
And please feel free to share this page with your friends -
Thanks,
Steve

02/21/2016