Trusted

Casa Bernabe

About Casa Bernabe

Friends of Casa Bernabé is a nonprofit organization created for the sole purpose of helping orphans and poor around the world. We partner with and provide financial, physical, spiritual and strategic support to Casa Bernabé ministries, an organization committed to the restoration of vulnerable children and families, breaking cycles of abuse, poverty and neglect, to transform lives and transcend generations. We believe that this is part of the Great Commission. Through faith in Jesus Christ and His provision through many supporters, we are doing just that. Casa Bernabé addresses the needs of orphans and vulnerable children through the following 7 programs:Children's HomesThe cornerstone program of our ministry, our Children’s Home is what sets our ministry apart. Designed with family in mind, our children live, learn, worship, and heal in a home based setting with the guidance of loving Christian parents. We work to repair and reconstruct a stable foundation for our children to flourish from, whether they age out of our care, or are reunited with their biological family.EducationCasa Bernabé Christian School offers Christ-centered education to children and youth in the Casa Bernabé community and beyond. For over 10 years, our school has opened its doors to families in the surrounding area who face economic and social limitations, providing them with a chance for formal education they may not have otherwise had. With Pre-K through 9th-grade classes, our school impacts over 300 children, with approximately 70% of themcoming from the surrounding community.Vocational and Life Skills TrainingThe Vocational and Life Skills Program empowers young adults at Casa Bernabé providing them hands-on education in areas like patisserie, aesthetics, carpentry, and balloon artistry, equipping them with the practical tools needed to break the cycle of poverty and integrate into society as responsible, contributing citizens. TRANSITIONAL LIVINGOur Transitional Living Program helps young adults over age 18 learn to work, attend school, and acquire life skills in preparation for launching into Guatemalan society while living in a transition home under supervision of a mentor couple.Families UnitedThis is a pioneer ministry committed to reconciling and restoring broken families. Casa Bernabé’s team of dedicated professionals are committed to working alongside each of the families of our children and the Guatemalan government, conducting extensive visits, evaluations, & interviews, then preparing a plan that would unify the disintegrated home. The team provides follow-up and supervision once re-united.Medical ClinicOur Medical Clinic is uniquely situated just outside of our campus at the top of the hill and provides care for our children, staff, and the surrounding community. The clinic houses a full time doctor, full time nurse, and a nutritionist. We also regularly receive help from local dentists to provide dental care for both our children and staff.Mentor FamiliesThis program’s purpose is to connect a Christian Guatemalan family with a child or group of siblings at Casa Bernabé. These families serve as local sponsors, offering unwavering support and mentorship without any financial burden. Through monthly visits, they provide companionship, engage in activities, share meals, and celebrate special moments, adding more love and positive influence to the children's lives as they journey forward.

What “Trusted” Means

Trusted ministries meet our complete baseline framework for faithful Christian operation. This ministry has been verified against eleven of fifteen criteria in The Most Trusted Standard — demonstrating doctrinal clarity, biblical stewardship, independent financial review, faithful handling of donor intent, independent board governance, conflict-of-interest protections, truthful communications, and active mission-aligned programs.

Trusted represents the foundation on which our higher designations are built. Highly Trusted and Most Trusted ministries demonstrate additional levels of public transparency and independent evaluation that go beyond this baseline.

What We've Verified

This ministry has been verified against 11 of 15 criteria in The Most Trusted Standard.

Faith Foundation

  • Christian Statement of Faith Affirms a clear, public statement of faith aligned with historic orthodox Christian doctrine. Verified
  • Biblical Mission and Stewardship Operates with a mission explicitly grounded in Christian principles and biblical stewardship of resources entrusted to it. Verified
  • Christian Accountability Maintains accountability to recognized standards of Christian financial integrity and ministry stewardship. Verified

Financial Integrity

  • Independent Financial Review Undergoes annual independent financial audit, review, or compilation appropriate to organizational size and complexity. Verified
  • Reasonable Compensation Practices Discloses executive compensation and demonstrates compensation practices appropriate to the organization's size, scope, and sector. Verified
  • Donor Intent Honored Honors donor intent on designated and restricted gifts, ensuring contributions are used as donors directed. Verified

Governance and Leadership

  • Independent Governing Board Operates under an independent governing board with a majority of members who are not staff, related to staff, or otherwise compromised in independence. Verified
  • Documented Conflict-of-Interest Policies Maintains and follows documented conflict-of-interest policies to protect the organization and those it serves. Verified
  • No Outstanding Concerns Shows no unresolved regulatory, legal, or accountability concerns that would compromise donor trust. Verified

Transparency and Effectiveness

  • Truthful Communications Communicates truthfully and accurately in fundraising appeals, public communications, and donor reporting. Verified
  • Active Program Activity Consistent with Mission Demonstrates active program activity consistent with the organization's stated mission and purpose. Verified
  • Comprehensive Public Financial Disclosure Makes complete financial records and Form 990 (or applicable equivalent) accessible to the public through recognized third-party platforms. Not verified at this tier
  • Public Governance and Program Reporting Publicly discloses board composition, key leadership, and detailed program information so donors can see how the organization is run and what it does. Not verified at this tier
  • Full Suite of Governance Policies Maintains and discloses a complete framework of governance policies, including whistleblower and document-retention policies in addition to conflict-of-interest protections. Not verified at this tier
  • Independent Performance Evaluation Has undergone independent evaluation of financial efficiency, program spending, and operational performance against rigorous sector benchmarks, with results confirming performance at the highest standard. Not verified at this tier

Casa Bernabe meets our Trusted tier standards. Highly Trusted and Most Trusted ministries additionally demonstrate broader public transparency and independently evaluated performance.