Caring Action for Children was started in 1966 by a group of caring teachers in the Los Angeles school system. In their years of teaching, they met many Mexican children in their classes and learned about the conditions of children who had little hope for the future. The teachers traveled to Mexico, and soon felt God's call to become directly involved. Money was raised to build the first Children's Home, and the organization was started. Our logo reflects this calling and the care we strive to provide to each child, and it has a deep meaning that is fundamental to our cause.

Caring Action has no paid staff. All positions listed below are filled by volunteers. All monetary donations go towards helping the children and Homes in Mexico.
Sofia Valdez Carbajal, Coordinator in Mexico
Mia Varone, Donations Secretary
Josh Varone, Web and Social Media Coordinator

Shirley has served on the Board for 20 years. However, her involvement with Caring Action began when she was a child and her uncle, Trygve Jansen, the founder of Caring Action for Children, put her to work folding and preparing newsletters to be mailed out. After Trygve passed away, Shirley's cousin, Tor Jansen, became the Executive Director for Caring Action, and Shirley joined the board after she moved back to southern California.

Shirley works as the Director of an Early Education Center, focusing on children age 6 weeks to 5 years. On her first visit to visit the Children's Homes in Mexico, she saw the desperate need to give children a safe place to live and feel safe, and attend school. When she hears stories of success from the children, now adults, who have completed their education and are leading lives of service to others, it affirms her commitment to making a difference in each child's life.

A trip to Mexico every year is on her calendar, so she can make sure that the children and students are well cared for, as well as taught to love God.

Mia has been the Donations Secretary for Caring Action since 2003. She recently joined the Caring Action for Children Board of Directors. Mia takes care of mailing out donation receipts and getting the donation checks deposited.

Caring Action has been an important part of Mia's life ever since her childhood as she watched both her parents volunteer their time and resources towards this mission. She has wonderful memories of the trip she took with her family to see the Casa Hogar Mama Paulita Home while she was still in high school. The experiences of staying at the Home, helping with chores, playing games, singing with the children, taking trips into Mante', and worshipping at the church are times she will never forget. Mia prays that Caring Action will help God's children in Mexico for many years to come. She continues to be inspired by the words of her late father, Tor Jansen, "If you help someone, it helps them for a lifetime, and that is the best gift of all."

Susan's involvement with Caring Action began in March 2002 when she traveled to Esperanza in Bonfil with a work party. The week in Bonfil was filled with hard work scrubbing walls, painting, and cleaning up after a fire that occurred in one of the dorm rooms. The week also provided lots of laughter and play with the children. Susan was hooked and joined the Board of Directors in 2003.

Since joining the Board, she has traveled to Mexico with Shirley Becker, President of Caring Action, each year to visit the various Children's Homes. The visits involve meeting with the Patronato for each Home, identifying accomplishments and needs of each Home, and always finding time to play with the children.

Josh first became involved with Caring Action in 2011 when he approached his late grandfather, then-Executive Director Tor Jansen, about creating a website for the organization to expand its reach. He then became a member of the Caring Action for Children Board of Directors in 2013. Josh has worked as a volunteer technology specialist for the organization, maintaining the website and instituting new programs, including online donations, social media presences, and an email newsletter.

His interest in the work of Caring Action began at a much younger age, as he watched his mother, Mia Varone, volunteer her time as the organization's donations secretary. Over the years, he found inspiration in his grandfather's selfless actions and constant desire to help others, ultimately leading to his involvement in the organization. Having recently had the opportunity to witness Caring Action's impact firsthand at some of the Homes, Josh remains committed to supporting the organization's important work, continuing efforts to further grow Caring Action's online community.