What Happens to Our Kids Once They Turn 18 and Leave Casa Bernabé?
Have you ever wondered what happens to kids at Casa Bernabé once they turn 18 and officially "age out" of our residential care?
For most kids, their 18th birthday is a much anticipated day of celebration. You're finally "an adult." You can spread your wings, leave home, go to college, get a job, pursue your own path. But for many of our kids at Casa Bernabé, they approach their 18th birthdays with uncertainty and often fear. Legally, residential care programs like CB officially end when a child turns 18, and in many places they're on their own to figure out what comes next.
Life in Guatemala can be challenging under the best circumstances, but going from the protected bubble of a place like Casa Bernabé to the real world outside the gate with little or no support from their biological families is another level of tough. Kids in situations like this have to grow up fast, and there is often no safety net waiting to catch them if things don't go as planned or they make typical adolescent choices.
This is where our Transition Program comes in. When our children turn 18, they don’t simply leave our care and face the world alone. Like a loving family, we walk closely with them as they step into adulthood. Our Transition Program exists to help these young men and women move from childhood to independent living with guidance, structure, and spiritual encouragement.
We currently operate two transition homes:
Casa Asaf (for young men) — Located at the top of the hill separated from the main campus by a gate, this home provides a supportive environment where four young men are mentored by Profe Victor and Miss Wendy (married teacher/administrator in our school)
Casa Aroma Fragrante (for young women) — Located five minutes down the road next to our Directors, Edgar and Sara’s home, this house provides a nurturing space where two young women are guided by Edgar, Sara, and Abby Veliz (a CB graduate who now acts as a mentor).
These homes are designed to be safe places to practice independence while still receiving mentorship. Young adults in the program must obtain an off-campus job, contribute toward their expenses, and often continue their studies at a university or trade school. They learn how to manage finances, pay bills, use public transportation, find a local church, and develop the rhythms of responsible adult life, all while being discipled and encouraged by trusted mentors.
The transition from childhood to adulthood is challenging for anyone. For young people who have experienced trauma or instability, this intentional support can make all the difference. Our goal is not just independence, but flourishing—spiritually, emotionally, and professionally.
Abby Veliz first arrived at Casa Bernabé when she was just four years old. The transition was not easy. She was deeply attached to her biological family, and it took several years for her to adjust to life in a new environment. But as she began forming friendships with other children who shared similar experiences of family upheaval, she realized she was not alone and Casa Bernabé gradually became her home and her family.
Abby remembers each stage of her childhood here as meaningful, but she especially cherishes her years in Casa Promesa when Sara and Edgar were her house parents. Morning devotionals together, attending school, and building friendships shaped her faith and identity.
“I strongly believe Casa Bernabé prepared me well for what I’m doing now," Abby shared. "Since about age 10 I began helping out in different areas around campus, not as a job, but in the kitchen, caring for the babies, etc. From a young age I learned how to handle responsibility, and this has served me so well in my adult life.”
When Abby turned 18, she entered the Transition Program. During that time, she pursued a university degree in communication and design with the dream of becoming a graphic designer. She worked while studying to cover her living expenses, learning how to budget, save, and manage her priorities.
“For me it was a key stage because it allowed me to prepare little by little for an independent life,” she said. “I learned how to manage money, to save, to pay bills. It was a gradual process, difficult but full of learning that helped me to live a better adult life.”
After beginning an entry-level job doing digital data entry, Abby’s diligence and leadership became evident. As the company grew, she helped establish an entirely new quality-control department and now serves as a senior officer in the company.
Reflecting on her journey, Abby says, “I don’t think I would have had the opportunities I have now if I hadn’t come to live at Casa Bernabé and been able to study, grow into a professional, and grow spiritually. I don’t know where I would be now.”
“When someone asks me if I believe God has a plan for my life, I reflect back to my childhood. My family passed through so many difficult experiences, and I thank God that He removed me from that situation. When I think about my life, I don’t complain and ask God why He allowed my life to happen this way – I thank Him for allowing me to leave that situation and come to Casa Bernabé.
"I was able to learn so much here. I see many people who have their biological families, but they’re still not complete. I see Casa Bernabé as a home and a family. There were so many people here who were caring for me and looking out for me. So I do believe God had a plan for me, to take me out of a hard situation and bring me to a home where all this could happen for me. I’m happy because I have a story to tell – I passed through something hard but beautiful.”
Today, Abby works at the same company and serves in Casa Aroma Fragrante, helping guide the young women who are now walking the path she once walked. She takes the support she received and passes it along to the next generation of Casa Bernabé graduates.
“My role is to come alongside them and supervise, helping them maintain focus on their studies, jobs, and goals,” she explains. “More than a strict authority, I look to be a guide and a support in this process.”
The Transition Program is a vital bridge between protection and independence. It ensures that our young adults are not only prepared to survive, but equipped to thrive as followers of Christ, professionals, and leaders in their communities. Life outside of a place like Casa Bernabé is very different than the protected existence our kids have grown up with, so we do everything we can to help ease the transition and set them up for success. Casa Bernabé is a family, and that remains true after age 18.
Your support makes stories like Abby’s possible. You are helping raise young men and women who know they are loved by God, capable of meaningful work, and prepared for the future He has set before them.
Please pray for our six current transition students, that they would grow in wisdom, perseverance, and faith. Pray for God to provide direction for their lives. Please pray also for our mentors, that they would continue to reflect God's love and guidance during this pivotal season. Finally, please pray for our teenagers on campus – we have a large group of kids who are approaching this season of transition, and we want to come alongside them in prayer as they begin thinking about their futures.
Thank you so much for loving our kids and lifting them up in prayer!
