2024 Change a Life Benefit in Tijuana!

Change a Life Benefit in Tijuana! 2024

Dear Associate,

Welcome to the Homes of Hope – Change a Life Benefit in Tijuana! We are so excited for you to experience this amazing opportunity. You will participate in building a home and be finished construction in less than two days!

Associates will be staying with roommates in family style rooms at the YWAM Base or at a nearby hotel.

Please note: Associates are not allowed to leave the YWAM base/hotel without permission from the Boardwalk Team Leaders.

Phone: 403.801.6777

Boardwalk Soccer Field

Dorm Accommodation

Things to know

Please remember that you are representing Boardwalk at all times during this trip to Tijuana and San Diego. In addition, you are also representing Youth With a Mission, the parent organization of Homes of Hope while in Tijuana. Please ensure that your behavior reflects Boardwalk’s core values at all times.

Technology & Communication

1. Device Enablement: All mobile devices will be enabled for travel. You will have full access to the Microsoft environment and your emails during the trip.

2. Homes Of Hope Campus Wi-Fi: The campus is equipped with Wi-Fi, which you may use as needed.

3. Internet Sticks: It is strongly recommended that you do not bring company issued internet sticks, as they are not necessary and may cause unnecessary expenses.

4. Long Distance Calls: There are two phones on campus that offer free long-distance connections to Canada. Please utilize these phones for any long-distance calls you may need to make.

5. Be Mindful of Public Wi-Fi: Please avoid accessing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi networks. Use a VPN for secure connections when necessary.

6. Those planning to take their laptops: Keep your laptop with you at all times, and do not leave it unattended in public places.

7. Inform IT of anything suspicious: Please log a ticket and inform IT of anything suspicious on your device or account during or after your trip.

Food Allergies

• Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions. YWAM and Homes of Hope will do their best to accommodate you.

Work Site Etiquette

• The cultural norms and social expectations of the people in Mexico may be slightly different that our Canadian cultural and social norms and expectations. Since the area where we will be building is not a tourist area, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines. Following these guidelines is a form of respect for the people we will serve and their culture.

Please do not:

• wear revealing clothing (this includes tank tops and short-shorts)

• wear expensive jewelry

• use foul language (there are often children nearby– please be respectful)

• bring electronics (ie: iPad) – cameras are acceptable

• smoke, vape or drink alcohol

• pet or interact with the animals (dogs, cats) as many have fleas and diseases

Please do:

• wear all safety equipment supplied

• try your Spanish with the Mexican family who is working with you

• take advantage of the Spanish translator to communicate with the family

• interact with the children and let them help (no power tools for the children)

• keep safety as the primary concern in every aspect of the house build

Border Crossing Etiquette

• At the US Border.

Destination address for customs form:

Youth with a Mission San Diego / Baja, 1101 Bay Blvd., Suite C, Chula Vista, CA 91911

• When speaking to the Customs Agent you can explain that the host organization (YWAM Homes of Hope) will be providing same day transport to Mexico.

• At the Mexican Border, please obey all the instructions of your Homes of Hope hosts and:

• Stay with the group at all times.

• Do not leave the vehicles unless advised by Homes of Hope Staff.

Alcohol on the YWAM Base

• Disciplinary action will be taken if any person brings beer, wine, liquor or any alcoholic beverage whatsoever onto the Homes of Hope Campus during the Change a Life Benefit. Disciplinary action could include that person and possibly others being barred from all further outreach activities and immediate removal from the campus at personal expense and dropped off by a cab at the Mexico/USA Border. The barred person(s) will assume full and total responsibility for all expenses arising from their expulsion from the trip.

Costs and Expenses

Boardwalk will pay for the following expenses during the Change a Life Benefit

• Flight and Travel Insurance

• One (1) piece of checked luggage

• Parking at the lowest cost airport provider

• Accommodations

• Meals

• Lunch upon arrival in San Diego

• Breakfast (before 6:00 a.m.) on day of departure

Participants are responsible for

• Spending money

• Travel to and from your local hometown airport

• All incidentals

• Souvenirs

• Phone calls (there is a land line available at the Homes of Hope campus at no charge)

Travel checklist

☐ Tickets/Itinerary .

☐ Photo ID and Passport.

☐ Work site clothing, sturdy closed-toed shoes; work boots are recommended.

☐ Conservative clothing must be worn.

• You may be working on rough, rocky ground. Keep in mind clothes and shoes could get very dirty and covered in paint.

• Weather is unpredictable: it may be cool in the morning, warming up to only 13 degrees in the afternoon with clouds or it could rain. However, it could also be 25 degrees and sunny. Plan for the weather and check for weather updates a before you leave.

☐ Casual clothes & shoes for dinner, running shoes for recreational soccer or other games etc.

☐ Undergarments & socks.

☐ Sweater or jacket, it gets cool at night–the Baja is not a tropical location and it could be cool in the day also.

☐ Rain jacket/rain poncho.

☐ Toiletries such as shower, shaving needs, toothbrush and paste, cosmetics.

☐ Sunglasses.

☐ Camera, batteries, charger and SD card.

☐ Sun block (very important!).

☐ Mosquito repellent.

☐ Small first aid kit with anti-diarrhea, Aspirin, Band-Aids, any prescription medicine must be in original packaging with pharmacy label and your name on it.

☐ Gifts for family–you may choose to give money (USD) or small gifts to the family you build for (not mandatory).

☐ Spending Money in USD only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I am on a completely separate flight than the rest of my colleagues?

A: Not to worry. The YWAM staff and your Group Leader will have your flight itinerary, so someone will be there to pick you up from the airport regardless of time.

Q: Where will we eat our meals?

A: Breakfast and dinner will be at the YWAM base. Lunch will be served at the build sites.

Q: Who cooks and cleans at the YWAM Base?

A: YWAM has staff that prepare meals and maintain the base, but groups who are using the space are asked to help out with tidying up after meals and when leaving the rooms.

Q: What if I need to use the bathroom while I am on site?

A: There will be a port-a-potty at the building site for everyone to use.

Q: Will there be free time for me to do some sightseeing?

A: Independent or small group excursions off the YWAM base are not allowed, except as specifically outlined in the Orientation on Day one. Other than that you must not leave the compound except with the entire Boardwalk team for team activities.

Q: Is the YWAM Base like a hotel?

A: The YWAM Homes of Hope facility is more like a retreat center than a hotel.

Q: I am a smoker. Can I smoke outside my room?

A: There is absolutely NO SMOKING on the YWAM property, however, there is a designated smoking area located at the gate area just off the property.

Q: What is included in the rooms? What do they look like?

A: Bed sheets, blankets, pillows and towels are provided. Each room may have different configurations, some with bunk beds that can accommodate up to 6 people. Each room has a large bathroom with up to 1 toilet, 2 showers and 2 sinks.

Q: What can we do after dinner in the evenings?

A: The YWAM campus has a café, sports field, gathering places, outdoor lounge areas with gas fire pits to spend time with your team.

Q: Are any off campus activities allowed at any time?

A: No.

Q: Where can I find out more information about the family my team will be building for?

A: If you would like to find out information about the family that you will be building for, please follow these steps:

1. Check the following website www.ywamsandiegobaja.org/hoh-family-selection

2. Scroll down to find the information on the family you will be building for

3. The families will be listed by date followed by the name “Boardwalk”. Unfortunately, it is out of our control when the profiles are updated, so please keep checking the site for that information.

Please remember to always err on the side of caution and respect as representatives of Boardwalk in Mexico and guests of Youth With A Mission and Homes of Hope. If you still have any questions or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to ask!

Build Teams

TEAM KOLIAS

Arseneault, Jessica

Brown, Jeffrey

Gunn, Ella

Gunn, Lillian

Gunn, Grace

Gunn, Jonathan

Hunter, Kevin

Jaraim, Bhavnesh

Jolie, Taralyn

Kolias, Hugh

Kolias, Isabella

Kolias, Melissa

Kolias, Sam

Kolias, Van

Kolias, Vanessa

Kolias-Gunn, Samantha

Lawrence, Nicholas

Lewis, Paul

Lupas, Luliana

McKay, Julian

Sivkov, Dasha

To, Lan

Wight, David

TEAM GCD

Abarnirouei, Saeid

Asrat, Meseret

Bartolo, Roberto

Calderon Dominguez, Gillian

Calma, Melvin

Carcano Segoviano, Eder

Diakhate, Madiagne

Hagos, Sara

He, Maria

Kalgutkar, Poonam

Lina, Donata

Macasaet, Florencia

Nayeri, Shirin

Noel, Jhona

Omay, Sarah

Orrego, Octavio

Samelo, Mark Anthony

Saravia, Jacob

Seferi, Edlira

Simonova-Ilievska, Elizabeta

TEAM MIX

Alagao, Julio

Andrada, Soniel

Bal, Kulwinder

Banack, Brandy

Consolacion, Efren

Dela Cruz, Jimmy

Dorado-Kheav, Cathyrin

Harrison, Kelsi

Hicana, Leonila

Limpin, Melissa

Mahendra, Anjali

Mix, Helen

Nasarudean, Khairul

Oryshak, Nathan

Rampling, Desiree

Sribney, Jessica

Viernes, Roginson

Vujisic, Branko

Yodyodo, May Ann

Itinerary

DAY 1

Morning

• Arrive to airport two hours prior to flight departure.

• Please check with the airline you are using regarding current carry on and checked baggage policy. If your airline ticket does not include one (1) piece of checked baggage please pay your baggage fee at the gate and submit the receipt for reimbursement.

• Please wear your Boardwalk name tag and lanyard once you land in San Diego and keep it on the rest of the day so you can be easily located (This will be sent by courier directly to your site).

• All flights arrive at San Diego Airport. Proceed to luggage pick up area and meet at Terminal 2. Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Homes of Hope staff who will be identifying themselves and looking for Boardwalk Associates wearing their name tags. Depending on the arrival times of the participants you will be transported from the airport in passenger vehicles or a large tour bus.

• You will be taken directly to the Homes of Hope campus, and provided a box lunch to enjoy on the trip from the airport.

Mid Afternoon Your YWAM Leaders will check you in to your accommodations at the YWAM Del Mar Base or nearby hotel. You have free time at the YWAM Homes of Hope property in Del Mar, Tijuana Mexico. No Boardwalk Team members are permitted off the campus at free times.

3:30 p.m. Appetizer reception and meet all Boardwalk Associates.

6:00 p.m. Traditional Mexican Taco dinner. Introduction to the YWAM staff, homebuilders and an orientation to Tijuana Homes of Hope may occur at dinner or on Day 2 in the morning.

Please note: Ensure you always travel with your build team to and from build sites.

DAY 2

7:30 a.m. Team Breakfast. Arrive in work clothes ready to leave immediately after breakfast.

8:20 –

8:30 a.m.

8:30 –

Meet at the departure point and prepare for departure. Get in the correct vehicle with your build team. Your Boardwalk T-shirt matches your team colour and your home building teammates.

9:00 a.m. Depart for building sites.

12:00 p.m. Lunch break at building site.

5:00 p.m. Return to YWAM Base / Hotel.

6:00 p.m. Dinner in Del Mar – Mi Casa Restaurant.

DAY 3

7:30 a.m. Breakfast.

8:20 –

8:30 a.m.

Meet at the departure point and prepare for departure. Get in the correct vehicle with your team. Your Boardwalk T shirt matches your team colour and your home building teammates.

9:00 a.m. Depart for building sites.

12:00 p.m. Lunch break at building site.

2:30 p.m. Tools away, House Dedication and return to YWAM Del Mar.

5:00 p.m. Team de-brief discussion prior to dinner in Base for a time of celebration and reflection on the Change a Life Benefit.

DAY 4 +/-

6:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Hot or Continental depending on departure times

Home. Where Love Always Lives.