CFM Missions

Homes of Hope is an outreach ministry of Youth with a Mission (YWAM). YWAM is an international, interdenominational Christian missions movement launched in 1960. Homes of Hope began in 1990 and since that time over 100,000 individuals have volunteered to construct over 5,300 homes for the needy in 21 countries. They will help us construct a home from start to finish in 2 days!

Youth With A Mission- San Jose, Costa Rica is a community of 70 missionary volunteers who exist to raise up and equip relevant leaders who will impact and transform society. Through evangelism, training and mercy ministries they are building individuals and communities. Some of their key ministries include bible distribution, kids camps, soccer ministries, medical outreaches and Homes of Hope. When we refer to YWAM or Homes of Hope staff, we are really referring to this group of volunteers. All YWAM personnel are volunteers and must raise money to support themselves and their families.

Participation is open to anyone who desires to serve the underserved and experience an eye-opening and life-changing event. In our experience, children ages 5 and up get the most from the experience. We need about 10-15 adult volunteers per house and lots of children (approximately 5 families per house). Homes of Hope builds with church groups, business groups, synagogues, families and more. While Homes of Hope has a religious affiliation, you need not be Christian to attend. For many people it is a very spiritual experience and prayers are often said in Spanish with the family.

None! Each home has Homes of Hope staff to oversee and assist in the building process. They will teach you all you need to know. The best part of the process is that it requires everyone, even the youngest children, to help.

Each family is selected on the criteria of need. Key factors considered are income, family size, present living conditions, and if the family has the title or rights to the land the house will be built upon. To obtain a Home of Hope, families must go through an extensive application process. Once approved, they are required to prepare the home site for the new foundation, tear down their old structures, and work together with the visiting team on the building days. Homes of Hope is not just a house-building organization, it’s a people-building movement. They build homes for the underserved because it changes people’s lives.

Homes can be built over 2 days. This allows participants to travel on a Friday afternoon, build all day Saturday and Sunday and then return home on Monday.

In the experience of Saint Michael groups, this is a very safe trip. They have never had any concern for safety. We do ask that children not leave the group without an adult. There are often staff members around to help keep an eye on our children and neighborhood children.

If this you first time traveling internationally, or it is your child(ren)’s first time, you will need to apply for a passport. Information regarding this process can be found here on the United States Postal Service website. If you already have a passport, be sure to check that it is valid through July 20, 2020, (six months after our return date). We also recommend that families apply for TSA PreCheck for quick and easy travel. Information on applying for PreCheck can be found here.

San Jose, Costa Rica is an easy 3.5 hour flight from Dallas. American Airlines has a direct flight from DFW to San Jose. Trips from Dallas typically depart around 4pm on a Friday afternoon. There is a return flight around 9am Monday morning that arrives in Dallas by mid-day. Southwest also has flights from Dallas- Love Field through Houston to San Jose. It is important to book your airfare early, as these flights tend to fill up and get more expensive as the build date approaches.

We stay at the Marriott in San Jose, located about 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the build sites. The hotel is located on an old coffee plantation and is very nice. It has 3 pools, a huge hot tub and comfortable rooms. The hot tub and beds are most appreciated after a long day of hard work (bring your swimsuit!).

Homes of Hope will provide transportation to and from the airport on Friday and Monday. They will also cover all transportation to and from the building site. If you choose to extend your stay, taxis are readily available ($20 for a ride between the airport and the Marriott).

Each participant purchases their own airfare. Costs will cover your hotel stay, transportation, meals, snacks and a fee to Homes of Hope. The fee also includes tools, t-shirt, hat, simple tool belt, a portable toilet onsite and a photo package. Checks can be made to Saint Michael and All Angels. Costs breakdown as follows:

Homes of Hope Fee: $875/person ages 12 and over, $775/child ages 11 and under

For example, for a family of 4 with 1 hotel room, the costs would be: ($875x2 adults) + ($775x2 children) + ($234x3) = $4,000

On top of this cost, we ask that each family make a donation towards building a home. Each home and furniture package costs approximately $10,500 and typically we need 6 or more volunteer families per house. We highly recommend that the participants on each house split the cost of the home equally amongst the participants. Some families raise money from outside donors to help cover this cost. Homes of Hope is a 501(c)(3) and payments to Homes of Hope should be tax deductible.

The Marriott provides a wonderful breakfast buffet each morning and Homes of Hope arranges all lunches and dinners. Lunch normally consists of pizza at the build site, while dinner is a catered meal at the Marriott. Snacks and drinks are available at any time at the build sites. Even the pickiest of eaters will find food to eat.

The water at the hotel is safe and bottled drinks and waters are provided for the build site.

The mild Costa Rican climate is delightful. January temperatures average 75 degrees! January is typically a drier month, but some showers are likely.

Registration is open and a deposit of $250/person will be due at the time of registration. We will limit the number of participants on this trip and expect the trip to fill to capacity. Payments in full will be due by October 6.