Young girl puts away her clothes in her room at her home. The Ark photo
Grande Valley. Some of the children come from Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Sometimes the children are placed there by a court order issued by a judge. The Ark is licensed for up to 37 children but on average has 30 at any one time. The majority are boys. The typical age is from two to three years of age. Most are sibling groups. Trejo said that some children come through the Ark more than once and now some “kids of kids come through.” “Often the children come here malnourished. We take them to the children’s clinic to get a physical and dentals,” Trejo said. The children are taken care of by a staff of 30 that work 12-hour shifts, 24-7. The staff includes two licensed vocational nurses and a registered nurse. Volunteers are also an important part of the program. Both staff and volunteers must undergo drug screening and criminal background checks, and receive training. School-aged children are taken to Calallen ISD schools. Trejo said the schools have been “very good” to the Ark.
Although the Ark was founded by and is owned by the Missionary Sisters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, it is nondenominational, but a priest comes by to celebrate Mass. The children can attend Vacation Bible School at St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles and St. Thomas the Apostle. These parishes are always helping, especially during Christmas and Easter, Trejo said. Parents and relatives cannot come to the Ark. Child Protective Services takes
the children to family members, when visits are in order. The Ark receives $115 per day per child but it costs $250 per day per child to operate the refuge. They seek grants and hold fundraisers, such as the annual gala, to supplement the needed funds. The Ark’s board of directors, which consists of 10 civic and community leaders, are also very instrumental in ensuring sufficient funding is available. “The gala is one of our major events. We also hold a golf tournament and the Knights of Columbus are very supportive,” Trejo said. Tax-deductible contributions to the Ark can be made online at www.ark4kids.com. The Web site also provides a list of items they need to operate the facility. “The public needs to realize that these kids are kids and need to be treated as one of their own,” Trejo said. Delma Trejo, Executive Director of the The Ark “home” spends time with children in her care. The Ark photo
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SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | OCTOBER 2012
www.SouthTexasCatholic.com