Empowering Women Through Care and Craft

Meet Odalis:

Most recently, Odalis has taken on a critical role:

We’re excited to introduce Odalis, a dedicated young mother from El Mamey, a rural batey outside of Guerra. For over 10 years, Odalis has been a passionate volunteer with Sister Parish Ministry—serving her community with heart and purpose.

She’s actively supporting prenatal care for 30 young women in her community—many of whom have little or no access to regular medical care. This included access to ultrasounds, prenatal vitamins and other valuable resources.

Support the Smiles of Futuro Vivo

A Dental Health Initiative:

Dear Friends and Supporters:

I wanted to share another area of interest for Sister Parish Ministry, Inc. (SPM). Ten years ago, Elizabeth Beverly, niece of Dr. Laura Beverly, our Pediatric physician, had an idea that would have a tremendous impact on the health care of the children in two communities that we serve. She realized that there was a significant need for improved oral care for these children. Based on Elizabeth’s idea, since 2015, the Medical Mission Team of SPM has partnered with Futuro Vivo School in Guerra, and with local volunteers in El Mamey, a batey outside of Guerra, to provide ongoing dental care and education for thousands of children. Our mission is simple yet vital: to improve oral health and instill lifelong habits that protect children from preventable pain and disease.

Carlitos' Journey

A Living Testament to Love, Healing, and Hope:

Carlitos became part of the SPM Family in 2017, when his teachers, having heard about our Medical Mission, travelled with him to us from his small rural school. They were concerned about his inability to stay awake in class. Our Pediatrician, Laura Beverly, diagnosed him with sleep apnea due to a severe jaw malformation. Sr. Eva and Sr. Ines, of Futuro Vivo School, quickly became involved and worked endlessly to obtain a passport and medical visa for him, which was finally granted in January, 2020. He travelled with his mother to Jacksonville with the Medical Mission team in January of 2020 as very frail 13 year old, malnourished and frightened, but hopeful. Dr. Barry Steinberg performed a 12 hour surgery to release and rebuild his fused jaw, allowing him to open his mouth and chew food for the first time in 11 years. The process was grueling, involving two complicated surgeries, two hospitalizations totaling a one month at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, much of it in the PICU, a tracheotomy for 4 months and multiple delays due to Covid impacts.