Success Stories

Edil

Edil Nataren Ramos came to the Garces Dental Clinic in need of treatment for serious issues with his teeth. Under the Garces Foundation’s Sonrisa Dental Program, Dr. Garces treated the young patient and, over time, realized that he was suffering from oxygen deprivation and that his difficulty in school was very likely due to an issue with obstruction of his airway. Without enough air, Edil was not able to get enough sleep at night and, without enough sleep, his schoolwork suffered.


Dr. Garces was able to arrange for Edil to have his tonsils and adenoids removed at no cost to Edil or his parents. Without the Sonrisa Dental Program and the continued care of Edil, his sleep apnea would very likely have been left undiagnosed and untreated.


Now, with the treatment for his condition, Edil is sleeping well and excelling in school, and we could not be more proud of him and the Foundation’s role in setting him up for success!

Silvia

Silvia Margarita Sosa is a 70-year-old Mexican immigrant who lives by herself in Philadelphia. At the start of the pandemic, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is now receiving radiation treatment for her condition.


In 2021, Silva began to receive help from the Garces Foundation through our Food Pantry Program.


We share Silvia’s story in her own words: “It has been impossible for me to work and I do not have any family here in Philadelphia. Because of my condition, my sister who lives in Utah had to leave her job and join me in Philadelphia. This box of food has fed both my sister and me for the last year. Thanks to this box of food, my sister can continue to stay with me and care for me while I battle this cancer. Thank you to everyone at the Garces Foundation and to those who sustain their work – may God bless you.”

Julio

In January of 2020, Julio Angeles, 22, enrolled in our English for the Restaurant and Everyday Living class, which teaches English language skills, emphasizing words and phrases used in the hospitality industry.


Like many of those taking our classes, he started at the Beginner level. During the pandemic, the restaurant in which Julio worked was forced to close its doors. As he puts it, “the crisis affected us all... The food was getting short every day.” Julio was supported by the Garces Foundation’s Food Pantry Program, and, despite the challenges of the pandemic, kept up his studies in our classes. Learning English has tangible effects on students’ work.


Julio says: “Classes help me a lot to be better every day in my person and in my work, to have better communication, to read the tickets, ask questions and give answers.” Now Julio has progressed from Beginner to Intermediate level classes, and, at work, from dishwasher to line cook, putting his language skills to good use!

Share by: