Girls in the Philippines find courage and healing through the Laura Vicuña Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Kristian Buus)
From a young age, many girls in developing countries face oppression. Some are trafficked, exploited or married off as children in exchange for money and goods. Without anyone to protect them, they struggle to escape high-risk environments and do what little they can to keep themselves safe.
These girls dream of a life where they can be free and grow into women who build stable lives. They dream of pursuing education, earning an income and escaping the cycle of poverty. Cross Catholic Outreach partners with ministries worldwide that uplift at-risk girls and help them make their dreams a reality. It’s all within reach — but they can’t get there without help from compassionate Catholics like you.
Be a changemaker! Give today, and help those who cannot help themselves.
In 2005, Cross Catholic Outreach began partnering with the Marie Adelaide Girls Rescue Center in Kenya. Since then, we have protected many girls from child marriage and other difficult circumstances — all thanks to the support of generous friends like you.
Marie Adelaide Girls Rescue Center was born in response to injustice. Addressing harmful traditional practices like early marriage and female genital mutilation, the local parish established this refuge to care for and safely reintegrate girls into healthier living situations. With our support, the ministry can aid 12 girls this year, providing them with safety, spiritual counseling, and opportunities to learn and grow.
Monica was just 11 when she arrived at Marie Adelaide Girls Rescue Center. Her father had been preparing to trade her into marriage — his daughter in exchange for a cow.
At first, the girl was understandably fearful and discouraged. But today, she has made a home at Marie Adelaide. She depends on warm, nutritious meals, a place to sleep and a loving community that values her human dignity.
With financial assistance and skills training from the center, Monica will soon be able to start her own beading business and build a home. Now an adult, she especially enjoys prayer and assisting with Mass. Each day, she is growing in her identity as a unique individual beloved by God.
Significant Change:
Within one to three years of freedom from harmful cultural practices, residents can complete their education and improve their financial stability. The center strives to provide them with more than just temporary assistance. This year, the center is seeking support for 12 young girls and four staff members. The girls will leave empowered and renewed, thanks to the staff who have devoted themselves to helping them heal.
Community Support:
Positive reinforcement from the surrounding community is essential. The local government offers protection to the girls staying at the center, and the community provides the land for the building. Volunteers from the local church and surrounding areas help ensure maintenance and activities run smoothly.
Cultural Transformation:
The center’s ultimate goal is to phase out any significant project oversight and successfully empower the community to run the preventive, holistic process themselves. Community ties will be bolstered as people are educated and empowered to end harmful cultural practices and care for their neighbors.
Your helping hand can extend to women and girls in need all around the world. Meet a few more of our invaluable ministry partners!
The Philippines
This foundation focuses its efforts on caring for children who require protection from abuse and exploitation. Designed to meet specific needs, Laura Vicuña prioritizes the healing of young women and girls, running a center that offers recovery in a safe, supportive space.
Serving the young people of the Philippines — a country struggling with tragic percentages of sexually exploited children — Laura Vicuña doesn’t just want to respond to the problem, but to get ahead of it. The #iamBRAVE (Buddies Reject Abuse, Violence and Exploitation) movement spreads advice and advocacy to young people across the country.
Contributions to this growing project will rattle an oppressive industry that has negatively affected vulnerable children for too long. Your generosity makes a great difference!
Mexico
In Mexico, 60 girls currently live at Tláhuac Home, ranging in age from 6 to 12. During their time at the house, girls receive special education designed to honor their learning difficulties and help overcome them. They jump at opportunities to grow their interests, taking special lessons in dance or computers and studying Catholic catechesis.
The girls feel capable of pursuing education because of how thoughtfully the people around them pour into their well-being. By attending to the girls’ physical health and comfort, the home allows them the freedom to grow emotionally and spiritually. It’s only a matter of time before the girls will be able to take their own steps toward responsible, stable adulthood.
But they’ll need help to get there. Offer a helping hand to these young girls dreaming of bright, fulfilling futures!
Mozambique
This year, the students of Association Cross Mozambique learned essential life skills in addition to their excellent Catholic education. Working with the sisters running the program, students took time to help cook, clean and garden. The community prays together regularly, attending Mass and learning about the Sacraments. Of the 20 total students, nine reside with the sisters full time, while the others return home to their families. No matter what, all receive any aid needed to maintain their personal hygiene, stay well fed and dress for class.
By the grace of God, each of these girls has a safe home and adults pushing them to be the best version of themselves. The stability of the rescue program provides a foundation for its students. Your generosity encourages the girls to put down roots in a faith-filled community. Give today to support their continued development!
Teens in the Philippines attend an #iamBRAVE conference to learn how to protect themselves and others from trafficking and abuse.
Working together as the Body of Christ, we can prevent trafficking, abuse and exploitation. Please give now to rescue girls from harm and set them on the path toward achieving God’s best for their lives. Your generosity will provide shelter, warm meals, education and hope for a brighter future — all while showing girls their precious worth in God’s sight. Assure them they are not alone and empower them to thrive today!
Use it for reflections and notes to grow in your spiritual life. You’ll also receive a prayer request form to mail back so that we can pray for your needs. In effect, this creates a spiritual bridge to connect you to our sisters and brothers in Christ in the developing world!
Cross Mission Partners also receive a semiannual Mission Update with news, insights and information about the good work and accomplishments made possible by your support.
Every dollar helps us bless the least of our brothers and sisters throughout Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico & Central America and South America.
Thank You for Your Special Commitment to Serving the Poor!
It’s easy to shop through the Cross Catholic Outreach Project Catalog. Simply browse the categories and choose an item within your budget and close to your heart, such as Anti-Trafficking and Girls’ Rescue or Most Urgent Needs. Select and sponsor one or more of these gifts, and you’ll make a meaningful impact on the life of a needy child or family. It’s that simple!
Absolutely! Once you select your items, you’ll be given the option of sending an e-card or printing a customizable certificate. This is a meaningful way to share Christ’s love with others while also honoring friends and family.
We are a Catholic ministry that partners with bishops, priests, religious and lay workers to provide Food, Water & Health, Housing, Kids & Education, Women & Girls, Disaster Relief, Farming & Loans opportunities and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to the poor and vulnerable in over 30 countries around the world.
Donations from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures for this project incurred through June 30, 2027, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.
