More than 200 celebrate at Night to Shine

After four days of rain threatened to dampen Eternal Anchor’s original date for our 5th Annual Night to Shine, more than 200 turned out a week later to celebrate our incredible friends with disabilities. Hosted by Eternal Anchor and sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, this year’s event was our biggest ever. From the moment our honored guests arrived, they were greeted with love and excitement, and the energy at the Eternal Anchor Ranch was simply electric! We danced, sang, laughed, and most importantly, we celebrated every person for the unique and wonderful individuals they are.

From the red carpet to the coronation and dancing, Night to Shine is centered on God’s love for people with disabilities, and we are proud to be part of this global movement. In fact, Eternal Anchor’s Night to Shine was one of just two held in the entire country.

“We had incredible participation from the community this year,” said Deborah Garcia, Eternal Anchr’s co-founder and Director of Justice and Equity. “This made Night to Shine an even more magical event.” Among the local supporters were students from Club de Altruismo at Centro de Bachillerator Tecnológico Agropecuario No. 146 in San Quintin and Instituto California in Vicente Guerrero where our very own Jesús began attending high school in 2023. Julia Celeste Arte – which was responsible for the beautiful new mural outside Posada Ancla Eterna, provided an art station, students from Pandaac Escuela de Belleza volunteered as makeup artists, and local businesses provided donations. Two local photographers and a videographer also volunteered to help document the day. 

Welcome new physical therapy interns!

We’re thrilled to introduce and extend a warm welcome to our newest members of the Eternal Anchor family: Amanda (on the left) and Karlie, both physical therapy interns from the UTMB Health (University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas! As they embark on this enriching six-week journey with us, we’re excited to witness their growth, passion, and dedication to the field of physical therapy.

This is the second year of Eternal Anchor’s partnership with UTMB’s Global Health program. While here, Amanda and Karlie will work under the guidance of their professor and Eternal Anchor’s staff volunteer physical therapist, Erin Cottos. “This internship program is a perfect opportunity for them to experience how physical therapy is delivered in another culture,” said Erin. “They will gain a better understanding and have new perspectives on physical therapy as they graduate and begin practicing on their own.” Amanda and Karlie will be members of Eternal Anchor’s Health and Therapy team, working with them throughout the San Quintin Valley.

Building independence with life skills

Teaching life skills, including kitchen safety and the art of cooking, to special needs students is an incredible investment in their future and a celebration of diversity. Cooking isn’t just about preparing meals; it’s about fostering independence, boosting confidence, and promoting sensory exploration. Through the joy of creating in the kitchen, our students develop important life skills that extend far beyond the stove. 

“Teaching life skills to students with disabilities equips them with essential abilities necessary for independent living and self-sufficiency,” said Gabriela SantaCruz, an Education Coordinator at Eternal Anchor. “By empowering the children with these skills, our teachers not only enhance their quality of life but also foster their sense of confidence and autonomy. Ultimately, our goal is to enable them to actively participate in their families and society.” Let’s savor the beauty of inclusion and education, where everyone, regardless of abilities, can whip up a recipe for success!