After completing some extensive and needed physical upgrades to our centers and dedicating time to planning our classes and programs for the year, we started classes in January with the 250 students enrolled in our afterschool programs.
Cadaniño is a dynamic organization. We constantly evaluate our work and processes trying find ways to improve programs and classes to deepen our impact.
Over the past few years, we have focused on refining and enhancing each of our programs and projects to ensure we maximize the resources that God has entrusted to us. This has empowered us to create lasting, transformative change for the vulnerable children and families we serve.
While I usually prefer to "let our walking do our talking" by reporting on what we have accomplished rather than what we hope to achieve, I've come to realize that there is incredible value in sharing your hopes and dreams with people so they can encourage, support, pray, and possibly get involved in helping make them a reality.
So, with our core programs running well, here is a glimpse of some key initiatives and goals that will guide us throughout this year.
Administration and Operations
Team Development: Our dedicated staff is the backbone of Cadaniño. So this year, we're doubling down on training and development to ensure our team members are equipped to serve with excellence. We have had great success creating training modules that focus on our core values and this year, we will be taking our staff through the following ones:
Teamwork: How to build stronger collaboration and unity among our staff to enhance collective efforts.
Order: How streamlined workflows and processes help create more efficient and effective organizations.
In addition, we will continue to encourage, challenge, and provide opportunities for team members to continue their personal development by improving their technical and professional skills and better serve their students.
Systems and Structure
Well-organized systems are essential for long-term success. More often than not, we rise to the level of our abilities, but fall to the level of our systems. As Cadaniño evolved during the past nine years, we've developed a comprehensive understanding of why what we do works and what is necessary for us to be effective. During the past six months, we've worked to document it and are rolling out updated tools for our team, including:
An Operations Manual: Clear guidelines and protocols to streamline daily activities and ensure consistency.
Program & Project Manuals: Comprehensive documentation of how we run things to help maintain high standards and scalability.
Communications Procedures: Updated standardized methods to ensure effective communication across all levels of the organization.
Reaching Beyond
Cadaniño’s vision extends far beyond those we serve in our immediate centers. We desire the tools and programs we've created to serve as many students as possible, helping to create pathways to success for the most vulnerable.
Simply put, what we do works. Because of that, we are constantly approached by like-minded organizations and individuals serving vulnerable children who want to replicate our work.
We have stepped up to provide tools, training, guidance, mentorship, and the implementation of our programs to those serving vulnerable children, and this year, we hope to increase the help we provide to others.
This Includes:
Sharing Knowledge and Skills: Offering training and resources to teachers and staff who serve vulnerable children, empowering them to help kids learn.
Helping Other Organizations: Assisting like-minded organizations in implementing our proven curriculums to amplify their impact.
Creating an Afterschool Association: Forming a network of organizations dedicated to serving vulnerable children and families, fostering collaboration, shared learning, and advocacy.
Working Towards Opening New Centers: We are considering partnering with other organizations to establish afterschool programs, expanding our reach to unserved areas.
Academic Reinforcement
Education remains key to our mission. This year, we're launching several initiatives to enhance academic opportunities for our students:
College Prep Program: We're introducing a structured college preparation program to help students envision and achieve their higher education goals, equipping them for a brighter future.
Expanded STEM Initiatives: Our STEM programs are expanding with newly equipped labs that inspire creativity and innovation:
3D Printing: Teaching design and manufacturing skills to prepare students for modern industries.
Laser Cutting: Introducing precision technology for creative and technical projects.
Upgraded Robotics: Leveraging advanced Lego Education kits to teach programming, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Family Strengthening
Our work with families is just as critical as our work with children. In 2025, we will continue to improve how we provide holistic support through programs that empower families to overcome challenges and build stable, nurturing homes. By strengthening families, we help create an environment where children can thrive.
We will be implementing more effective tools to gather relevant data about those we serve through enhanced home surveys. These surveys will enable us to build more accurate profiles of those we serve, helping us to better meet their needs.
Spiritual Formation
Faith is the foundation of everything we do. This year, we're expanding spiritual initiatives to deepen our impact.
Greater Church Involvement: We're partnering with local churches to integrate more students and families into communities of faith, helping foster their spiritual growth and cultivate a personal relationship with God. We have also been working to develop deeper partnerships with local churches so our ministry can serve as an onramp for local believers to get involved in serving vulnerable children and families through outreaches on Mother's Day, Easter, and Christmas.
Youth Outreaches: Continue to facilitate the work done by our current and former students serving in missions to help them lead more outreaches, share faith better and serve as role models for others, demonstrating the transformative power of a Christ-centered life.
Looking Ahead
2025 will be a year of growth, collaboration, and deepened impact for Cadaniño. By investing in our team, refining our systems, expanding our reach, and staying true to our mission, we are confident this year will bring even greater transformative change to the lives of the children and families we serve.
We invite you to join us on this journey. Partner with us, support our mission, and help us continue to bring hope and transformation to the most vulnerable. Together, we can make a difference that lasts for eternity.
Blessings in Christ
Timothy Martiny
Partner with us today and impact lives for eternity!