FHC’s caregivers, or tías, as they are affectionately called in Spanish, are a hard-working group of women of all ages, each caring for a small group of up to five children. The Tías become “moms” to the children and they do everything a mom does and more. Approximately 30 tías are on the schedule at the Quito and Latacunga homes. They work scheduled shifts and are part of our paid staff.

In addition to caring for the children, just like a normal homemaker, the tías have other responsibilities. The tías accompany the children to medical and therapy appointments, school meetings, sometimes taking the children to court appointments with FHC’s social worker, and yes, even on outings and trips around town that provide for some variation in the day to day life at FHC. After the children are asleep, the tías prepare the next day’s meals, and make sure the home is clean and organized. FHC’s tías are a unique and important part of the care FHC provides for the children in our programs.

	Veronica is FHC’s Administrator, and her office is the nerve center of the ministry. She began working at FHC in 1999 as a secretary, and her organizational and people skills quickly distinguished her as the ideal person to supervise the office staff, caregivers and other employees. She now handles the labor, legal and financial responsibilities of the homes in Ecuador as well.
	Gabriela is FHC’s Program Coordinator and Organizational Psychologist. Since 2009, she has been coordinating the work of our professional staff, evaluating the effectiveness of our programs and helping to make them as efficient as possible. Gabriela organizes FHC’s annual strategic planning process that includes our Ecuadorian staff. She periodically evaluates the caregivers needs and designs in-service training and education for them. She keeps her eye on our strategic goals and works closely with FHC’s Administrator, Verónica.
	Elizabeth oversees the care of the children, staff and operations at FHC’s home in Latacunga. Her career at FHC started in 2007 when she was hired as a Tía. In 2009, her co-workers gave her their vote of confidence and she was promoted to Administrator at FHC-Latacunga, and is under Verónica’s guidance. She supervises the children’s medical appointments, the preschool and other support staff at FHC-Latacunga, as well as representing FHC in the community.
	Sandra is FHC’s Social Worker, and joined our team in 2011: Her responsibilities include promoting family reunification or adoption, writing social reports, doing home visits, and investigating each child’s case.
	Alexandra Idrobo is FHC-Quito’s child psychologist as of September 2011. Alexandra makes time in her busy schedule to attend to each child at FHC-Quito, making sure that their overall development, behavior, and adaptation to the FHC environment is appropriate. She evaluates the children for their legal proceedings, and prepares them for family reunification or adoption and is close by to support these processes until they are completed. She is attentive to each new child admitted to FHC and works to make sure the transition to a group home environment is smooth and comfortable and that we are meeting each child’s individual needs. She is an important part of the professional staff at FHC and works closely with our Program Director, therapists, teachers, and social worker.
	Juan Carlos has been FHC-Quito’s Physical Therapist since 2009. Juan Carlos evaluates each child in terms of their physical development, and designs a program that sets out goals and a plan to reach them. He provides therapy for those children who need extra encouragement and trains and supervises the Tías and other volunteers and staff to enable them to support and reinforce the therapy treatment plan.
	Jimena Gamboa is FHC-Latacunga’s child psychologist. She started working at FHC-L in 2011. Her responsibilities include keeping an eye on all the children – their development, behavior, adaptation to the FHC environment, etc. When necessary, she evaluates the children for their legal proceedings. Preparing the children for family reunification or adoption and supporting this process is a very important part of her job. Of course she is also close by when a new child arrives at FHC. She helps organize age-appropriate activities and outings for the children, too.
	Pilar Rodríguez is our Secretary, receptionist and the administrator’s assistant. She began working at FHC in 2006. Pilar handles more of those details that drive everyone crazy, but which are so important for the efficiency and effectiveness of FHC’s care of the children. She coordinates our national volunteer program, answers the phones and responds to general inquiries; she assists with ordering and purchasing, she performs general secretarial responsibilities as well as helping with coordinating schedules and organizing staff.
	Lorena Benavides is our Pre School Teacher.
	Sol Rubianes is our Special Education teacher at FHC-Quito.
	Laura is FHC-Quito’s Administrative Assistant. She began working at FHC in 2011. Laura handles all those details that can drive someone crazy, yet are so important – such as purchasing necessary medical and other supplies, helping to keep our storeroom organized and supplies rotated properly, keeping an eye on the menu for each week, checking the pantries in each home, and many other miscellaneous jobs. Thanks to donations brought by mission teams and local families, FHC has a supply of children’s clothing, and Laura makes sure that each child is looking their best. Oh, and when she’s in the office, she helps Pilar answer the telephones.
	Marlene Bracho is FHC’s accountant.
	Tía Mercedes is FHC-Quito’s Care Coordinator. She began working for FHC as a Tía in 2008, and now is the loving, caring and attentive “eye” that watches over the children and promotes quality care for each one depending on their needs. Rather than place her as a “watchdog” in relation to the caregivers, we decided to shift her job responsibilities to be oriented toward ensuring each child’s well being. She makes sure each day is filled with stimulating activities, that the children get their fill of hugs and kisses, and she watches for those little details and needs of each child that often get overlooked by a busy Tía. She works closely with the Psychologist and Program Director.
	Patricia Albuja is FHC’s Psychologist/Child Development Specialist. Patricia spends time with our 4, 5 and 6 year old’s, evaluating areas where they may need extra help in their overall learning capabilities in preparation for starting school. She develops a therapy plan according to the child’s personality and abilities, their hand-eye coordination, reading readiness, their learning maturity level, etc. Patricia’s insight and experience make her the “go to” person when our children are getting ready to start a new school year, or when they have difficulties of any type in school. We’re pleased to have Pati on our staff.
	Walter is our security guard/doorman/concierge at FHC-Latacunga and has worked for FHC since 2006. He is the first to arrive every morning, and ensures that equipment, machines, pumps, generators, etc. are all working. He does minor maintenance on the buildings and equipment when needed, all the while keeping an eye on the main gate. He provides transportation for the home, driving the children to school, taking the Tías grocery shopping, running miscellaneous errands, and keeps the grounds looking clean and neat.
	Alfredo (Security Guard) he has been working at FHC since 2006. His responsibilities include ensuring security of FHC-Quito, general maintenance and upkeep of the grounds, and transportation.
	Jennifer Schneider (Volunteer Coordinator) has been working at FHC since 2009. Her responsibilities include overseeing international volunteers, planning and coordinating short-term team visits, and fundraising for FHC. Jen also works with Linda on the Child Sponsorship program. Jennifer lives on-site at FHC-Quito.
	Linda Sigler is FHC’s Child Sponsorship Coordinator. She lives in Red Bluff, California, and has worked with FHC since 2010. Her responsibilities include writing updates on the children at FHC for their sponsors, handling inquiries and correspondence, and updating the FHC database. In general, she’s always promoting our program and keeps it running smoothly and efficiently.