Fundación Gorritas Azules was started over 25 years ago by a group of parents with children with disabilities. It now serves as a place where adults ages 15-50 years old can go to learn, receive therapy, have workshops and be cared for. There are currently 24 students, all with severe mental and/or physical disabilities. The center only has 2 professional therapists (one physical therapist and one occupational therapist) and 3 helpers—but the therapists only work in the mornings. The center runs from 9am to 4pm, and is funded solely by the parents of the students and thus is lacking in funding of many projects they would like to carry out (one being able to have overnight students who live in the center during the week).

Volunteers are really needed in this center and school because although there are not that many students, each one has a severe disability and needs a lot of personal attention. Therefore, the volunteers would help in a classroom with the therapists or teacher helpers—tasks would include playing with the students, reading to them, taking them outside to go for a walk, helping during the lunch hour, teaching them skills and personal hygiene, and providing overall support in the classroom. 

One month is definitely preferred but they will receive volunteers for a minimum of 2 weeks.

As stated before, there are 24 students but each with a severe disability so one must be prepared to work with this population and be very caring and patient when volunteering.

The school is open from 9am-4pm. In the mornings there are specific classes that are taught, but they would prefer people in the afternoons because there are only 3 helpers after 1pm (the therapists only work in the mornings) and that is when they need the most help from volunteers.