About Us
We are not open yet. But we are closer than ever and the need has never been more urgent.
Refugio El Nazareno is a nonprofit shelter for girls and young women aged 11–17 facing abuse, neglect, and unsafe homes in Puerto Rico. After nearly a decade of work, our facility in Fajardo is being prepared to receive its first residents.
We are registered with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (registration #352645), and our facility is located on grounds entrusted to us by the Government of Puerto Rico, the former Ramona Rivera de Morales school in Bo. Peñon, Carrera 976 km 2.0, Fajardo.
What we still need is the operational funding to finally open our doors.
Our Vision
A world where every girl has the freedom to become who she was meant to be.
We believe in the transformative power of investing in the future of young women and girls envisioning a world where they can realize their fullest potential and become a source of hope for generations to come.
Our Mission
To empower girls not just to survive their circumstances but to rise above them.
We are committed to providing unwavering support and guidance, equipping each girl with the tools of self-love, independence, and practical skills necessary for her growth and success. Through a nurturing and structured environment, we aim to create a safe haven where girls can heal, thrive, and return to their communities with renewed strength and purpose.
Our work also extends beyond our walls. We advocate for the rights and well-being of young women and girls everywhere, shining a light on the societal issues that put them at risk in Puerto Rico and around the world.
Our Founder
Blanca ‘Blanquita’ Iris Vázquez Caraballo
Born in Río Grande, Puerto Rico in 1955, Blanca was raised in a Christian household by her parents Eugenio Vázquez and Sara Caraballo. After graduating from Pedro Falú Orellano High School in Palmer, she worked in the United States before returning home to serve with the Río Grande municipality's Tourism Office. It was there that she embraced what she describes as her spiritual calling: a life dedicated to service.
Known for her warmth and her deep commitment to family and community, Blanca's unwavering faith led her to found Refugio El Nazareno — a place to heal the wounds of abused and neglected girls and guide them toward a future of empowerment. Despite the long road and many challenges, she has never wavered. This is her life's work, and she remains as resolute today as she was the day she began.
“My vision is to help heal young girls and guide them toward a future of empowerment by embodying the belief in the transformative power of love and service.”
Our Programs
What we will offer from day one.
These are the programs and services we are prepared to provide the moment our doors open:
-
A secure, private, and welcoming home where girls can feel safe and begin to heal.
-
Licensed professionals guiding each girl through trauma recovery and emotional healing.
-
Nutrition education, physical activity, creative expression, and spiritual reflection.
-
Vocational workshops in culinary arts, baking, sustainability, farming, tailoring, and sewing.
-
Practical education in finance, communication, goal-setting, and relationships.
-
A therapeutic garden program where girls learn farming, sustainability, and the healing power of nature.
Our Facilities
A home in progress built with everything we have.
Our facility sits on the grounds of the former Ramona Rivera de Morales school in Fajardo, Puerto Rico — property entrusted to us by the Government of Puerto Rico. It is currently undergoing a full renovation to create a proper home for the girls we will serve.
Classrooms are being converted into dormitories. Private bathrooms, a kitchen, recreation rooms, study and workshop areas, clinics, a patio, and gardens are all taking shape. We share photos of this progress not to present a finished product, but to show you the real work that has already been done and the real distance still left to travel.
Every donation has brought us closer. Your support can bring us the rest of the way.
Be part of the beginning.
Refugio El Nazareno has spent ten years preparing for a single moment: the day these doors open and a girl in crisis finds safety, care, and hope on the other side. That day is closer than it has ever been. With your help, it can finally arrive.