Community Impact Report School Year 2025–2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
A Letter from Our Director
4
Impact at a Glance
5
Our Pillars & Programs
6
Art
9
Environment
14
Well-being
21
Our Partners
22
Be Part of the Change
Dear friends and partners, The 2025–2026 school year was a year of growth with deep roots. Since 2015, this space has welcomed more than 400 families from La Playa, Rincón de la Playa, La Choya, San Vicente and Las Ánimas Altas and Bajas. This year, 2,588 people received 15,494 services through 12 programs in art, environment and well-being, 21% more than last year. Behind each number is a story: 18 vegetables from our garden now on the children's lunch menu, a collective artwork by 21 children auctioned at FURIA, and 16 young musicians beginning a full-year scholarship. This year we also began measuring how lives change, not only how many people come. Thank you to our families, partners, volunteers and team for growing a compassionate and united community. With appreciation, Pamela Cruz Director, La Playa Centro Comunitario
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impact at a glance Each number tells a story of connection, learning, and care within our community. Together, we reflect the strength of collaboration and a shared commitment to creating lasting, meaningful change.
15,494
2,588
9,649
OVERALL SERVICES
PARTICIPANTS
KG OF FOOD
delivered across art, environment and well-being, 21% more than last year
unique participants who took part in our programs and services
recovered with our food bank partner and shared with families and our kitchen
+7,900
258
2,400
KILOGRAMS
VOLUNTEERS
of waste recovered at our collection center and in 11 beach and community cleanups
joined 11 beach and community cleanups to protect our coastline
GARDEN CLASS ATTENDANCES in 5 community and school gardens, October 2025 to June 2026
During School Year 2025-2026
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Our Pillars & programs Our programs empower individuals, foster environmental awareness, and create lasting positive change in the local community through our three core pillars:
ART The art programs are designed to promote creativity and artistic skills, allowing participants to explore different forms and collaborate on projects while learning from experienced artists. Arts Programs | Arts and Crafts | Music School
ENVIRONMENT The environmental programs aim to raise awareness and foster a culture of stewardship within the community, honoring the privilege of calling this unique ecosystem home. Waste Collection Center | Beach Cleanups | Ocean Culture Guardianes del Estero
WELLBEING We believe healthy communities are built on effective wellbeing programs. Therefore, we are dedicated to providing accessible resources that empower individuals to take charge of their health. Nutrition Program | Reading Program | Community Kitchen Fitness Sessions | Learning Gardens
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ART
Arts Programs | Arts & Crafts | Music School
aRT PROGRAms In 2025–2026, our art program was a creative home for 25 children.
Through 790 attendances, children explored watercolor, clay, collage and recycled materials, linking art with nature and community. 85% (21 of 25) strengthened core art skills and showed more confidence, collaboration and emotional expression. Our goal was 60%.
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HIGHLIGHT PROJECTS With Hotel El Ganzo, artist residencies and community projects connected children's art with the environment, local culture and fundraising for the Center.
El Colibrí · Oct 2025 Day of the Dead altar that won MXN $20,000 at Flora Farms
Maneras de Sostenernos · Mar 2026 Collective artwork by 21 children, auctioned at FURIA
Tiny Concert · Apr 2026 Set design and props for a concert with local musicians
Azul Pacífico · Jun 2026 Ocean-inspired artwork for the Azul Pacífico Forum
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ARTS & CRAFTS Through 264 attendances, Arts and Crafts remained a safe space of connection, creativity and income for women in our community.
Women learned embroidery, knitting and painting, sold their pieces at community bazaars, and knitted 50 scarves that were given as gifts at our Community Posada in December.
MUSIC SCHOOL In August 2026, 16 children and youth began full-year scholarships (60% more than the pilot), with MVS Music Center and Hotel El Ganzo. We received 23 handwritten applications; four pilot students returned for a second year. In the first month they logged 65 class attendances across piano, guitar, drums, bass and voice. A full scholarship costs MXN $20,400 per year, and MVS Music Center covers 40% of the real cost.
WATCH THE ENSEMBLE
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Environment
Waste Collection Center | Beach Cleanups Ocean Culture | Guardianes del Estero
Waste Collection CENTER On the first Tuesday of every month, we operate the Waste Collection Center with Hotel El Ganzo, local recyclers and dedicated volunteers. Cardboard was 52% of everything collected, followed by PET plastic. Through Recycling at My School we brought waste sorting to four public schools and, together with the La Playa Neighbors Association, donated a cleaning kit to Telesecundaria 42 so the project can continue.
5,329
270
kilograms
visits
collected from September 2025 to August 2026
from neighbors who brought their sorted recyclables
from School Year 2025-2026
HOW TO JOIN
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beach & community cleanups Bringing our community together to care for the coastline, protect marine life, and nurture a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
In February 2026 we launched Recycling at My School: 289 students from 4 local schools learned to separate and recycle waste, reaching 72% of our first-year goal.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
258
2,630
PARTICIPANTS
kilograms
took part in 11 beach and community cleanups
of waste collected through our cleanup efforts
from School Year 2025-2026
Our biggest day was the Clean Up BCS statewide cleanup in March 2026: 45 people removed 1,520 kg of waste from Rincón de La Playa, together with Hotel El Ganzo, ZOFEMAT, Hotel Secrets, Hotel Zadún, Casa Ballena and local schools.
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Ocean culture Born from the community's enduring bond with the sea, this program weaves together knowledge, culture and care to protect ocean life and the livelihoods it sustains. This year we released baby sea turtles with the Ecology Department, packed 405 lunches with Hotel El Ganzo for children on whale-watching trips and celebrated the sea at the Azul Pacífico Forum.
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300
150
PARTICIPANTS
guests
attendees
53 children and 25 adults released baby sea turtles with the Ecology Department
shared a meal honoring local fishermen on Navy Day
joined Del Mar a la Mesa at the Azul Pacífico Forum
foro azul pacífico A multi-sector forum uniting diverse voices to inspire action for ocean conservation. In June 2026, we hosted a beach cleanup and Del Mar a la Mesa, a gastronomic fair celebrating our community's connection with the sea.
ESCUELA DE ALETAS In summer 2026, 15 children took their first swimming and surfing lessons with Open Water Academy, Manny Gonzalez Surf School and Azul Pacífico, supported by We'll Assist and Hotel El Ganzo. We will continue throughout the 2026–2027 school year with eight free sessions for 20 children.
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Guardianes del estero Guardianes del Estero brings children and families closer to the estuary, a place where nature and community have grown together for generations.
126 attendances at birdwatching outings at Estero San José
from School Year 2025-2026
With the UABCS Bird Observatory and our own field notebook, 12 to 16 children each month learned to observe and protect the estuary (201 class attendances). Adult birdwatching outings grew from 10 to 40 people per outing, most of them women who keep coming back.
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WELLBEING
Nutrition Program | Reading Program | Fitness Sessions Community Kitchen | Learning Gardens
NUTRITION PROGRAM With the support of Banco de Alimentos Sudcaliforniano, our kitchen became a space of nourishment and connection, where every shared meal strengthens the heart of the community.
9,649
1,712
2,122
kilograms
meals
deliveries
of recovered food for families and our kitchen; monthly average up 25%
nutritious lunches served in our After School program
of groceries to families in our community
from School Year 2025-2026
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM Tuesday to Friday, 15 to 20 children gather for learning, nourishment and care. After school pickup they share lunch, then art, garden, English and reading until 5:30 p.m. 80% now follow hygiene routines on their own, and 18 garden vegetables are on their menu.
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learning & play In our After School program, children learn through play: values games, readaloud circles and a weekly English class built around real-life conversation. Many arrived with little interest in reading or English; today they ask for books and practice with English speakers.
60
90
percent
percent
of children now read simple books from cover to cover
grew more motivated in English, across 396 class attendances
from School Year 2025-2026
Through 965 play-based sessions, children showed more tolerance for frustration, better emotional management and more respect for one another. 16
Fitness Sessions Our fitness program creates a space where women come together to move, connect, and care for their wellbeing. This year we recorded 356 attendances at the Center and Parque Pescador. Monthly attendance quadrupled, from about 14 in the fall to more than 55 between April and July 2026.
Kids in motion During our Easter and summer camps, children joined yoga and physical activity sessions. 150 attendances combined movement, play and teamwork, and kept kids active during school breaks.
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COMMUNITY KITCHEN The community kitchen has become a gathering place for local families and Puerto Los Cabos residents, where food nourishes more than the body as it builds bonds, celebrates traditions, and inspires cultural exchange.
COOKING CLASSES 2025–2026 October Sushi November Buñuelos, chimangos & atole January Tamales
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104
workshops
attendances
with recipes shared by neighbors and local families
and every guest brought something to share at the table
from School Year 2025-2026
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June Del Mar a la Mesa, Azul Pacífico Forum
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LEARNING GARDENS Our learning gardens connect children, youth, and adults with nature, healthy food, and sustainability through hands-on experiences. They serve as living classrooms where participants learn cooperation, responsibility, and care for the environment.
hEALTHY EATING
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
We promote local produce to improve nutrition and community wellbeing
Workshops foster ecological awareness and sustainable food practices
community garden
School gardens
Families grow food, connect, and learn sustainable agriculture
In four public schools, 200 students from preschool to high school grow crops and learn about nutrition
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87%
26
workshops
of students
garden beds
and trainings for 240+ people; 221 outside visitors used the garden
gained basic planting skills; 89% of adults know basic garden care
produced 65.5 kg of produce; 18 varieties are now on the kids' menu
2,400 ATTENDANCES in free garden classes: 765 at the Center and 1,635 in four public schools
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VIDA SANA We'll Assist runs our clinic all year. In two Vida Sana health fairs (November 2025 and April 2026) with We'll Assist, Fundación Fuego, Flora Farms and the Center, we reached 460 people at a children's home, a senior center, two public schools and the community.
116 therapy sessions individual and group sessions with We'll Assist specialists
2 health fairs with local and international medical teams
460 people received preventive checkups, 84% more than last year
871 health services from We'll Assist (Sep 2025 – Aug 2026), including 643 consultations, vaccines, medicines and ambulance transfers
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our partners Collaboration moves every step forward. None of this would be possible without the partners who stand with us. Together, we amplify impact, strengthen communities, and transform shared vision into lasting change.
Logos to be added: Open Water Academy · Azul Pacífico · Recicladora del Pacífico Hernández · Municipal Fisheries and Aquaculture Office · DIF Los Cabos · Cooperativa El Rincón de La Playa · La Playa Neighbors Association
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THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US! Your support makes every action possible, and the journey continues. With combined efforts, we can keep creating opportunities, protecting our environment, and strengthening our community. Join us in making the next chapter even brighter.
VISIT US
VOLUNTEER
DONATE
Blvd. Tiburón s/n, La Playa, 23403, San José del Cabo, México donate@elcentrocomunitario.org 22