In April 2018, we held our first annual gala and raised over $70,000 for Project J2:5! When president and founder, Titus Bowen, went to Peru in May to take care of some business, he unexpectedly went to look at some land that had recently come available. As of May 2018, we now own 4 acres of lush, gorgeous land lined by the exotic Amazon jungle, central to the city and close to the airport. The land is being farmed for numerous fruit trees and produce which gives us the opportunity to bring in income and have a self-sustaining operation.
Modifications were made to existing buildings on the property to make a permanent home for the men of Casa de Reyes. 13 young men moved in full-time in January 2019. In March of 2019, ground was broken to begin construction of our multipurpose facility where we operate a community center to the surrounding people offering feeding programs, medical clinics, Bible school, tutoring, and more. This building has been completed and is used regularly for outreach. In 2021, a storage area was a remodeled into a small home, that is now the hub of the Reinas program, our initiative to support vulnerable women by teaching them skills in sewing and jewelry making.
Since our launch, over $95,00 has been raised during our annual galas. We are so grateful to the generous donors who make this event such a success!