**Desayunador Salesiano Cuts Medical Services Due to Lack of Funding; Appeals for Community Support**
The Salesian Breakfast Program, an initiative serving the central area, has been forced to reduce its medical services due to insufficient funds for necessary medications. Claudia Portela, General Administrator of Proyecto Salesiano Tijuana, emphasized the importance of continued support from the community to sustain their ongoing efforts. “We rely heavily on society’s support. Thankfully, we manage to cover certain costs, such as water, by asking for community assistance, but financially we’re not in the clear,” Portela explained.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, donations significantly decreased, impacting the delivery of essential services, particularly health care. The program is known for offering basic medications to those in need, but recent cutbacks have been inevitable, particularly in medical services, which are often costly. Despite financial constraints, the Padre Chava Breakfast Program continues to provide 800 meals daily to homeless and transient individuals.
Portela highlighted that, besides the breakfast program, Proyecto Salesiano Tijuana offers assistance to vulnerable and mobile populations through other facilities, such as a community center and two shelters—one for men and another for women and children in precarious situations. In addition, they operate a school and aim to provide comprehensive support to those who approach them. Essential items that can greatly assist the project include jackets, blankets, cleaning products, and vegetables like onions and tomatoes.
While administration efforts continue to ensure that food services are not interrupted, they have had to limit the diversity of food products used in meal preparations to maintain service continuity. Portela expressed optimism about concluding the year positively while maintaining their commitment to aiding people in transit and the general population.
**Secondary Article: Community Support Critical Amid Rising Demand for Shelters**
As winter approaches, demand for shelter services in Tijuana’s central area is reportedly increasing, according to local community aid organizations. The rising number of people experiencing homelessness poses additional challenges for facilities already stretched thin.
Shelter administrators note an approximate 10% increase in service demand over the last few months, attributing the surge to economic hardship and continued fallout from the pandemic. This has led to shelters operating beyond capacity, sometimes requiring makeshift accommodations to ensure everyone in need is sheltered.
In response to the growing demands, local organizations are seeking governmental assistance and partnerships with civil society groups to provide adequate resources for these individuals. Collaborative initiatives are being explored to create sustainable solutions and ensure that vulnerable populations are adequately supported.
With funding challenges mounting, community-driven support remains crucial. Donations and volunteer efforts are increasingly turn pivotal in bolstering services for those most in need, including people in transit seeking refuge in these shelters.