Frequently Asked Questions
How did All Our Kids (AOK) Inc. begin?
Please see the “Our Story” tab on this website.
Does AOK own the children’s homes?
No, AOK provides support to children’s homes licensed by the National System for Integral Family (DIF, similar to Child Protective Services in the United States) and operated by legal Mexican Civil Associations. Although the homes are officially under government supervision, they receive little if no funding for the care of the children from the government.
Do the homes get government funding?
Although the homes are regulated by DIF, the children receive little if no funding for their care by the government. Bulk rice and beans are provided for food. Little monetary resources are given by the government to the homes. The legal guardianship of the children is through the Civil Association which operates the home. It is the civil association’s responsibility to see that the needs of the children are being met.
Where are the homes located?
The San Ysidro Border Crossing is 21 miles (about a 30-minute drive) from the San Diego Airport. From there:
1, Casa de mi Famila (My Family House) is located in Playas de Tijuana 9 miles from the border crossing.
2. Siempre para los Niños (Always for the Children) is located in Colonia Granjas Familiares la Esperanza is 15 miles from the border crossing.
How did AOK get involve in these specific homes?
The Gortsema family supported Courtney Stuyvesant-Valenzuela through Youth with a Mission (YWAM). She was the English as a second language teacher at Siempre Para Los Niños (SPLN). It was at Courtney’s urging that the Gortsema family began sponsorship of two girls living there. This initial visit led to progressively becoming more involved Siempre Para Los Niños.
In 2014, due to administrative changes, the children from Siempre Para Los Niños moved to a home in Playas de Tijuana and the Casa de mi Familia home was established. This allowed for new children to move into SPLN and expanded the number of children that AOK could assist.
How many children live in the homes and how to they get there?
Children are placed in the homes either through the governmental agency DIF (similar to Child Protective Services in the United States) or by family members who can no longer care for them.
Casa de mi Familia : Capacity 20 children
Siempre Para Los Ninos: Capacity New Beginnings Baby House 12 children under the age of 3. Main house 35 children
Are the children all orphans?
The children are at the homes due to no adult consistently and safely being in a parental role. This makes them “functional” orphans. If parents are living (some are not) they may be in jail, addicted to drugs/alcohol, or are involved in illegal activities such as prostitution or drug sales. Frequently the parenting role will fall to a grandparent who is unable to parent the child(ren).
Are the children ever adopted?
Yes, infants/toddlers have been adopted in the past. Sibling groups and older children are harder to place.
Can I adopt a child?
Mexico does not encourage or support international adoption.
How often doesJulie Gortsema visit?
She tries to visit 6 times a year, about every 2 months. She frequently take groups down to meet the children.
How can I visit?
Contact Julie Gortsema or Amber Goodyke to coordinate your visit to any of the homes. See contact information on this website or email allourkids.inc@gmail.com .
Does AOK have a sponsorship program for the children?
AOK launched a Prayers and Pens Program in February of 2019. The program entails writing and receiving letters as well as a monthly donations that contributes to general funds to support children's education costs and monthly birthday celebrations. Interested? Check out the "Partner with a child" page on this website, or email aoksponsor@gmail.com for details.
How is AOK currently funded and how is the money spent?
AOK’s funding provided by family, friends, churches or companies owed/operated by family and friends. Purchase of smaller line items determined by Julie Gortsema and are in line with AOK’s mission statement goals. Larger line items must be approved by the AOK Board of Directors. AOK is a 501(c) 3 organization and provides all income/expense documentation to the United States Internal Revenue Service annually.
What percent of donation goes to administrative costs?
To date, Julie Gortsema has covered all administrative costs. The goal is for 100% of donations to go to care of the children.
Do any persons associated with AOK receive a salary or other compensation from donations given to AOK?
No. All operational expenses for AOK are paid for by Julie Gortsema. They do not receive any type of salary or monetary compensation. Their travel expenses are covered by them personally.
Are any of the AOK Board Members part of other organizations’ board of directors that directly support these children’s homes outside of AOK?
None of the AOK Board of Directors are on any other board that directly supports these homes. Please refer to the Board of Directors tab on this website for the listing of current board members.
What other organizations does AOK partner with to help ensure that there are fewer gaps or duplication of services in these homes?
Gateway Via
Angels 2 Angels
Unity for Orphans
Youth with a Mission
Where the Heart is Children’s Ministry
Spectrum Ministries
Numerous church groups from the United States and Mexico
Other questions???
Please feel free to contact Doug or Julie Gortsema at allourkids.inc@gmail.com with your specific questions. We would be glad to hear from you.
Please see the “Our Story” tab on this website.
Does AOK own the children’s homes?
No, AOK provides support to children’s homes licensed by the National System for Integral Family (DIF, similar to Child Protective Services in the United States) and operated by legal Mexican Civil Associations. Although the homes are officially under government supervision, they receive little if no funding for the care of the children from the government.
Do the homes get government funding?
Although the homes are regulated by DIF, the children receive little if no funding for their care by the government. Bulk rice and beans are provided for food. Little monetary resources are given by the government to the homes. The legal guardianship of the children is through the Civil Association which operates the home. It is the civil association’s responsibility to see that the needs of the children are being met.
Where are the homes located?
The San Ysidro Border Crossing is 21 miles (about a 30-minute drive) from the San Diego Airport. From there:
1, Casa de mi Famila (My Family House) is located in Playas de Tijuana 9 miles from the border crossing.
2. Siempre para los Niños (Always for the Children) is located in Colonia Granjas Familiares la Esperanza is 15 miles from the border crossing.
How did AOK get involve in these specific homes?
The Gortsema family supported Courtney Stuyvesant-Valenzuela through Youth with a Mission (YWAM). She was the English as a second language teacher at Siempre Para Los Niños (SPLN). It was at Courtney’s urging that the Gortsema family began sponsorship of two girls living there. This initial visit led to progressively becoming more involved Siempre Para Los Niños.
In 2014, due to administrative changes, the children from Siempre Para Los Niños moved to a home in Playas de Tijuana and the Casa de mi Familia home was established. This allowed for new children to move into SPLN and expanded the number of children that AOK could assist.
How many children live in the homes and how to they get there?
Children are placed in the homes either through the governmental agency DIF (similar to Child Protective Services in the United States) or by family members who can no longer care for them.
Casa de mi Familia : Capacity 20 children
Siempre Para Los Ninos: Capacity New Beginnings Baby House 12 children under the age of 3. Main house 35 children
Are the children all orphans?
The children are at the homes due to no adult consistently and safely being in a parental role. This makes them “functional” orphans. If parents are living (some are not) they may be in jail, addicted to drugs/alcohol, or are involved in illegal activities such as prostitution or drug sales. Frequently the parenting role will fall to a grandparent who is unable to parent the child(ren).
Are the children ever adopted?
Yes, infants/toddlers have been adopted in the past. Sibling groups and older children are harder to place.
Can I adopt a child?
Mexico does not encourage or support international adoption.
How often doesJulie Gortsema visit?
She tries to visit 6 times a year, about every 2 months. She frequently take groups down to meet the children.
How can I visit?
Contact Julie Gortsema or Amber Goodyke to coordinate your visit to any of the homes. See contact information on this website or email allourkids.inc@gmail.com .
Does AOK have a sponsorship program for the children?
AOK launched a Prayers and Pens Program in February of 2019. The program entails writing and receiving letters as well as a monthly donations that contributes to general funds to support children's education costs and monthly birthday celebrations. Interested? Check out the "Partner with a child" page on this website, or email aoksponsor@gmail.com for details.
How is AOK currently funded and how is the money spent?
AOK’s funding provided by family, friends, churches or companies owed/operated by family and friends. Purchase of smaller line items determined by Julie Gortsema and are in line with AOK’s mission statement goals. Larger line items must be approved by the AOK Board of Directors. AOK is a 501(c) 3 organization and provides all income/expense documentation to the United States Internal Revenue Service annually.
What percent of donation goes to administrative costs?
To date, Julie Gortsema has covered all administrative costs. The goal is for 100% of donations to go to care of the children.
Do any persons associated with AOK receive a salary or other compensation from donations given to AOK?
No. All operational expenses for AOK are paid for by Julie Gortsema. They do not receive any type of salary or monetary compensation. Their travel expenses are covered by them personally.
Are any of the AOK Board Members part of other organizations’ board of directors that directly support these children’s homes outside of AOK?
None of the AOK Board of Directors are on any other board that directly supports these homes. Please refer to the Board of Directors tab on this website for the listing of current board members.
What other organizations does AOK partner with to help ensure that there are fewer gaps or duplication of services in these homes?
Gateway Via
Angels 2 Angels
Unity for Orphans
Youth with a Mission
Where the Heart is Children’s Ministry
Spectrum Ministries
Numerous church groups from the United States and Mexico
Other questions???
Please feel free to contact Doug or Julie Gortsema at allourkids.inc@gmail.com with your specific questions. We would be glad to hear from you.