Founded in 2006, 2nd Mile Missions exists to disrupt the cycle of poverty by providing education, nutrition, and spiritual enrichment to children in the Dominican Republic. We serve about 800 children per year through the 2nd Mile Education Center, Hope Academy, and the House of Hope, located in Bavaro, Dominican Republic. Bavaro, a city within the wealthy resort community of Punta Cana, is home to approximately 50,000 native residents. The poorest neighborhoods in Bavaro consist of Haitians who have migrated in search of work and a better life. The vast majority of children in these Haitian communities do not have access to education, making it nearly impossible for them to break the confines of extreme poverty. 2nd Mile Missions believes that empowerment begins with education. The 2nd Mile Education Center provides a quality, faith-based education to Dominican and Haitian children in the Bavaro Community, regardless of their economic status. Thanks to our generous donors who support our sponsorship program, the school serves pre-K through grade 12. Teachers are licensed through the Department of Education in the Dominican Republic and students receive instruction in a broad range of subjects. After witnessing the many tragedies that exist due to a culture of prostitution in the Dominican Republic, the House of Hope opened in 2015 to help restore the family structure many girls have lost due to being abandoned or abused. The House of Hope accommodates twelve girls under the supervision of a Tia, or House Mom. These brave girls bond together to form a new family unit. Much like a nuclear family, the girls eat meals together, complete assigned chores, and spend time studying the Bible in order to grow spiritually. Our House of Hope family sponsorship program helps fund the daily needs so these precious girls can find healing and hope through their restoration.