Caring for the elderly at ALMA

Published December 24, 2022

by:  Ian Castelo Espinoza

It looks like a fortress matched to house hundreds of horses. Its hacienda-type construction and the vigor of the reddish color on the façade give it airs of grandeur, of a barracks that protects huge extensions of cattle. But it’s not cattle or horses. Souls take refuge there. Penalties are alleviated. The elderly of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and, if they appear, people from any part of the republic and even foreigners are cared for.

“ALMA AC”, is read in white letters at the top of the gate of the Asylum founded in 1992 by two women: Carmina Casas, of Spanish origin, and Margaret Galowey, Canadian, who that year sought the support of the Municipality to achieve the donation of the land. “Asylum for older adults by providing them with a dignified life” is the main mission of the Civil Association, in addition to seeing for the neediest adults in the Guanajuato region.

The reddish hue expands along the walls of the corridors. The light enters in the morning and at dusk while illuminating the smiles of the elderly served. Elderly men and women, especially with limited resources or extreme limitations, sit in the armchairs of the wide corridors filled with photographs of various religious figures and members of the asylum remembered.

“The heart of the soul,” reads a sign located in a room overlooking the central garden and where people gather to talk and live together while they are served.

“The construction, in its first stage, was carried out with donations from generous people and good will, two years later it began to receive older adults in street situations,” reads the official website of the Civil Association when they narrate the beginning of the construction of the enclosure. It should be noted that, in 2019, Grupo Presidente, a leading company in the hotel and restaurant industry, voluntarily supported the improvement of the space; There were 60 volunteers from this company who were dedicated to refurbishing and painting some areas.

ALMA AC is an Authorized Grantee to receive financial donations, issues tax-deductible receipts. Likewise, it receives donations in kind and if needed, a deductible receipt is also granted.

Other donations very well received are those of clothes, shoes, furniture, toys, office kitchen utensils, art, books, decoration etc. With all this, a sale is made on the last Saturday of each month, the result of each month helps the monthly current expenditure.

The association is directed by a Board of Directors, who meets monthly and daily has a presence in the asylum to monitor the correct objective of the Institution, which is to provide a professional service to residents, as well as “serve society, attend with dignity, treat with equality and respect, alleviate penalties and give safe shelter, make them feel useful and happy lives.”

Likewise, ALMA supports the citizens of Sanmiguelense by providing various orthopedic articles such as: wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, portable toilets, canes, boots, etc.

Source […]

ALMA. Home for the elderly needy of San Miguel

Carmina Casas 69, Frac. The Lejona. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. Mexico 37765 415 152 7210 info@asiloalma.org

ALMA is a nonprofit which provides care and accommodation for elderly-in-need. In support of its mission it takes donations of clothing, books, household items, electronics, costume jewelry, etc. and offers them up for sale CHEAP! at 10 AM on the last Saturday of each month (except Dec.) You never know what you’ll find @ALMA, but it could include fine designer men’s and women’s cloths, shoes, vintage silver jewelry, popular contemporary and classic books, furniture. ALMA is situated in La Lejona, adjacent to Mega, one block off calle Vicente Araisa, behind the bright blue Seguro Popular clinic and next to the construction site of expanding medical services. Our van picks up and drops shoppers off by Cafe Monet on the Ancha / Calle Codo at regular intervals Saturday mornings. The Alma number for pick up is:  415 152 7210 The person’s name is Norma