About VIA

All for the Glory of God

VIA is a non-profit foundation founded in 2022, created with the purpose of providing basic resources, carrying the word of God and improving the quality of life of children who live impoverished areas of Bogotá Colombia.

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11

Making a Difference

VIA Foundation works to make a difference in our kids lives.

 

Overview of Neighborhoods

VIA Foundation's locations are in the outskirts of Bogotá, Colombia,   The level of socioeconomic "status" of this neighborhood appears as 1-1. It is made up of people in extreme poverty.  The poorest areas in these neighborhoods are called "squatter slums" because residents have settled on land on the outskirts of big cities and built their homes out of whatever materials they can salvage, including cardboard and tin. Due to the unstable construction, some of the houses this area are especially susceptible to landslides.

Usme
VIA's first ministry is located in an area called Invasión el Refugio, Usme. This area is filled with many recycling families that earn money separating trash from Bogota.

Ciudad Bolivar
VIA's second ministry is located on the outskirts of the Cuidad Bolivar neighborhood of Bogotá.  This location is in a pastor's home providing shelter for weekend classes.

Team

VIA's is guided by a group of leaders in the United States and Colombia, through local team members using their gifts and talents in Christ's love. "But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the gift of Christ." Ephesians 4:7

 

Jamin Castro - Bogota Director
Jasmin Castro began her evangelizing work and working with 200 children in Cuidadela Sucre, Soacha. After that, Ella Jasmin expanded her work to include discipleship and providing food and clothing to 60 children and mothers in La Invasion Acapulco, Cuidad Bolivar-Bogotá. Currently with VIA, Jasmin is the Director of all of the Colombia campuses.

Pastor Roberto Rico, Usme - Iglesia Campo Misionero de Colombia El Retorno de Cristo
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Dra. Diana Russi - USA Director
Dra. Diana Russi is one of the founders of Via Foundation, Inc., and is the Managing Director of the foundation.  Diana is originally from Bogotá Colombia, graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, as an industrial psychologist. For the last 15 years Diana has been working with pastors and organizations in Colombia to help disadvantaged children, preparing the next generation to live productive Christ-centered lives. Diana currently lives in the United States with her husband and 2 adult children.

Vision

Our vision is to be a beacon of hope and transformation in the most disadvantaged communities of Usme and Ciudad de Bolívar. We seek a future in which every child, youth and mother in these areas can experience a better quality of life while finding purpose and dignity in their existence.  All while strengthening their Christian faith and empowering themselves to overcome the barriers of poverty and inequality.

VIA's Beginning

VIA began by meeting in the living room of a local family for 3 months.

Mission

Our mission is to serve as agents of change in Usme and Ciudad Bolívar, providing comprehensive support to children, young people, and their mothers in situations of extreme poverty. Through educational, spiritual, and community development programs, we commit to:

  1. Nurturing their spiritual well-being: Foster a relationship with God and instill Christian values that give them hope, love, and spiritual strength in the midst of adversity.
  2. Facilitate their personal and educational growth: Provide educational tools and learning opportunities that allow them to acquire knowledge and skills for a brighter future.
  3. Strengthen the family unit: Work in collaboration with mothers to provide them with the necessary support in their role of parenting and family development.
  4. Encourage community participation: Actively involve the community in identifying needs and solutions, promoting solidarity and collaboration with families.

What We Believe

  • We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God
  • We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
  • We believe that God created man in His own image to reflect His glory.
  • We believe that the Lord, Jesus Christ, died for our sins, and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood, and thereby become children of God. "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Rom 10:9