Charity Works: Two Milestones for Abba House, 10th Anniversary And Groundbreaking For The Cultural Center For Human Rights

By Stan Allen, 8-year volunteer

On November 20, 2015, ABBA House opened its doors for the first time. Pastor Ignacio and his young family realized that migrant need and care required more than hot meals and warm clothing delivered daily from the trunk of the family car. Pastor Ignacio had a humanitarian and ambitious vision 10 years ago!

The initial mission of ABBA House was to offer migrants fleeing violence, poverty, and oppression in their Central American countries, a place of safety, refuge, humanitarian care and dignity. Migrants are one of the most vulnerable groups on the planet. They are at high risk for physical and sexual abuse, trafficking and exploitation. It was clear that migrants needed a stable place to rest and recover, receive medical attention, nutritious meals, showers and warm clothing. ABBA’s fundamental values were and still are organized around respect for individual dignity, human rights, self-determination, inclusivity and social justice. ABBA House in Celaya was a geographic  perfect fit. All the  trains that flow from south to north in México pass-through Celaya. ABBA House quickly became widely known in the migrant underground as a “gracias a Dios” safe, trusted and generous haven for all.

In ten years, ABBA House has traversed a universe of hope, dreams, possibility, opportunity, safety and new life. ABBA would be tested repeatedly by global, and political events that would require change, innovation and adaptability in the service of more comprehensive migrant care. Over 130,000  migrants, families and children from almost every  third world country have found sanctuary within the safe, strong steel doors of ABBA. Over 65, mostly men, have arrived with broken bodies, amputated limbs and crushed spirits with the hope and promise of successful rehabilitation and prosthetic success for full bodied futures. Nine newborns came home to ABBA with their parents from the local general hospital and were welcomed by a shelter of aunts and uncles.  One homeless and seriously sick man died with dignity within the embrace of the ABBA community.  During the huge caravans in 2018 and 2019, more than 400 tired, but hopeful migrants shared every square inch of sleeping space cared for by an army of volunteers.

The Latin American Relief Fund (LARF) in San Miguel became an active and visible partner providing support, funds and public awareness. GoFundMe created another resource that allowed our friends and neighbors to act on their conscience. Local, national and international professional organizations that served migrants were moved by the miracles at ABBA and have become loyal partners to the ABBA mission. National and International press, and professional film documentarians have told the desperate, risky and hopeful stories of ABBA House migrants galvanizing compassion and creating a wider base of recognition, resources and support.

San Miguel’s local Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, which shares social justice values, has made a significant long-term commitment. Congratulations to all the villages and combined voices that have become part of the powerful symphony of migrant rights and care at ABBA House.  Ten years is an astonishing  achievement. Countless migrant lives have been touched by the embrace and care of ABBA House.

On November 13, 2025, ABBA House staff, residents, partners and friends gathered on the grounds of the new Center for the dedication and groundbreaking. The property had been cleared, a temporary fence built, and the outlines of the various buildings were chalked in. A temporary shelter and bathroom were built. It was a historic and emotional moment with the concrete, visual reality of the near future!

Pastor Ignacio opened his remarks with “Not only are we building walls but also hope. Not only are we placing a foundation in a building, but also a new step of commitment and faith in human dignity”.  More inspiring words came from two residents, Isabela and Elvis. Isabela has been in school for the visually impaired for a short time. She wrote her remarks in braille, but her fingers were too nervous to read her prepared remarks. She, seamlessly, extemporized and everyone felt her sincerity and grace. Elvis, our current artist-in-residence and lay minister, prayed simply and humbly for the Center’s future work. We, then all in turn placed rocks in fresh cement around a small tree in the center of the future patio.

Congratulations ABBA House for ten years of compassionate migrant care with a future of comprehensive, innovative services for brave and hopeful migrants.  I hope all our ABBA/GoFundMe family will include ABBA House in their giving!

www.gofundme.com/abba-house-sanctuary-for-migrants-and-families