WELCOME TO
ROBLES DE JUSTICIA, INC!
International Friends of
Robles de Justicia Nonprofit
in Guatemala
Robles de Justicia, Inc is officially a new 501 (c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S. established to strategically support vulnerable teenagers leaving orphanages in Guatemala to transform the next generation to leaders in their community!
Our Board of Directors has decided to raise support, to distribute funds, and to empower the leadership team for a nonprofit in Guatemala called Asociación Robles de Justicia (Robles)
READ ON TO LEARN HOW TO INVEST IN THE GUATEMALAN NONPROFIT
WE ARE SUPPORTING: ROBLES DE JUSTICIA
What is Robles?
MORE ON GUATEMALAN NONPROFIT
Robles de Justicia means Oaks of Righteousness in English. Robles is a nonprofit association in Guatemala that equips Guatemalan Orphan Teenagers to be independent and emotionally healthy citizens in their different communities.
Robles’ target population of adolescents leaving orphanages face 3 unique challenges: government protection ends at 18 years old; no relatives or inappropriate family environments to return to; and lack of life skills from being in an orphanage or institution. Consequently, Teenagers leaving orphanages without additional resources become easy prey for unstable relationships, gang recruitment, and sexual traffickers.
Robles’ short term purpose is to equip Guatemalan Teens with skills to reintegrate into their community as well as to break the stigma attached to being an orphan by advocating for a voice from this Vulnerable Teen group in their own society. Robles’ long term purpose is to diminish cultural tendencies of institutionalization; to train participants to be leaders; and to use personal experiences of suffering to make real changes in the direction of their country.
Mission
To empower Guatemalan young adults leaving institutions and orphanages to reintegrate into society as financially independent citizens by enhancing their emotional and spiritual development through continued education, promoting life skills, providing mentorship, implementing core values, and building community interaction programs.
Vision
- Develop the leading Residential Program model which reintegrates Guatemalan Teenage Orphans into their society as financially independent citizens and future community leaders in Guatemala City.
- Duplicate the Residential Program as a model in other communities throughout Guatemala for Teenage boys and girls.
- Replicate the model throughout Latin America.
Values
Gospel Centered
Mutual Learning
Authentic Community
Empowering Local Sustainability
Promoting Dignity and Integrity
Origin & Inspiration
Isaiah 61:3
To bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called ‘Oaks of Righteousness’ , a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Robles PROGRAM
Robles’ Program works with participants to pursue education or technical skill training during their year long program participation.
The Program focuses on 8 areas:
- Community Building
- One on One Mentorship
- Life Skills Training
- Trauma Support
- Safe Housing
- Financial Independence Skills
- Spiritual Development
- Personal Wellness Development
Program Structure
The structure of the program is designed to support each young Teen according to her current level of formal education. At the core lies Education, which can take one of two pathways depending on her background and academic progress.
Academic Degree
For those eligible to pursue higher education or complete middle/high school.
Technical Skill Training
For those who choose or require a vocational path through hands-on training.
From this foundation, the program continues with a holistic development model that addresses emotional, social, spiritual, and practical needs. Ensuring that every participant receives personalized, compassionate support, empowering her to build a future full of purpose and dignity.
Develop Community
We foster strong relationships in a safe and supportive space.
Engage Mentors
We connect youth with mentors who inspire and guide them.
Develop Life Skills
We teach practical skills for independent living.
Require Trauma Support
We provide emotional care and trauma-informed support.
Provide Program Housing
We offer safe, temporary housing for growth and stability.
Build Financial Independence
We promote economic autonomy through training.
Promote Self Defense
We teach self-protection with confidence and responsibility.
Grow Discipleship
We nurture spiritual growth grounded in biblical truth.
Meet The Co-Directors Of The Guatemalan Nonprofit
Elvys and Wendy Iboy
Elvys and Wendy married in 2006. They had a strong desire to become parents. Eventually they heard the voice of Jesus who revealed that their children would come through adoption. In 2017, they welcomed their first daughter—a beautiful 6-year-old girl. Through this act of love and adoption (the same love and adoption God has shown us), Wendy and Elvys came to understand the enormous challenges faced by children and Teenagers in orphanages including trauma, institutionalization, as well as physical and emotional struggles.
Obeying God’s voice, the Iboys became volunteer mentors to regularly visit two girls who had been in an orphanage for over five years. In every visit with the girls, they invested quality time, brought delicious meals, and most importantly, introduced them to Jesus. The regular visits stopped during the pandemic but, eventually the girls were returned to biological families by a judge’s order.
In 2021, The Lord led them to become temporary foster parents to a 15-year-old Teenager who had been in the protection system for over 11 years. The challenges of parenting a Teenager were significant. However, the same problem remained: What happens to these Teenagers when they leave the protection system?
This question led them to create Robles de Justicia which provides a safe place for teens aging out of the protection system who lack a suitable family to reunite with. Today, Elvys and Wendy live with their two daughters. They are leaders in their local church. They serve in prisons visiting and preaching about Jesus as well as remaining faithful to their call to care for orphans and the vulnerable.
Meet Robles De Justicia, Inc.
President, U.S. Board of Directors
Kathy Barthelmes
Kathy Barthelmes is known as Military Wife of 36 years; Mom of 3; Abuelita to 5 grandkids and a Mentor for Young Adults in their 20’s and 30’s who are struggling with their life. Kathy also knows firsthand what struggle in life looks like. She received a diagnosis of lead poisoning after more than a decade of debilitating injury and illness. In the midst of this physical struggle, Kathy surrendered her life to Jesus at age 33. Over time, Kathy began mentoring young adults in the U.S.; studying Spanish as an occupational therapy; and eventually leading an international community service program of teams serving a local orphanage in Guatemala.
Kathy served more than 10 years in Guatemala as a team member and a team leader. She watched repetitive challenges with housing, job skills, trauma, and community when young adults left the orphanage. Kathy also witnessed disparaging differences while she served young adults in the U.S. and Guatemala. During this time, Kathy wrestled with a problem: What happens to Teenagers as they age out or leave an orphanage in Guatemala? Her thesis research revealed there is no government support for youth leaving orphanages in Guatemala.
In November 2023, a miracle brought Kathy, Wendy and Elvys together in a miraculous way to talk about the Problem of Guatemalan Teenagers leaving orphanages and their passions to create a Solution that was shockingly the same! The Solution is to open a Nonprofit Program that focuses on providing these Teenagers with community, mentoring, housing, financial skills, trauma support, life skills, and discipleship while pursuing education or vocational training.In January 2024, we decided to build a partnership to make the same dream a reality.
WELCOME TO ROBLES DE JUSTICIA!
Meet our BUSINESS SPONSORS
Team Morris
