THE TEAM
JORGE ESTÉVEZ,
DIRECTOR OF SECOND CHANCES ECUADOR
Jorge began with Casa Gabriel in 2006, as a mentor for a couple of the boys who were participating at the time. A couple years later, he and his wife, Laura, moved to the US and had their 2 children (Samuel and Karina). In November 2017, they came back to Ecuador and to Casa Gabriel as our house parents. After almost two years living in the home full-time Jorge began a transition to becoming director. In January of 2020 Jorge officially became the director of Casa Gabriel and in 2021 he organized the transition and became the Director of Second Chances Ecuador.
LAURA JENNINGS ESTÉVEZ,
CREATIVE MISSIONS DIRECTOR
Laura first arrived to serve in Ecuador with Youth World in 2006 just after graduating from the University of South Carolina with an art degree. She came excited to serve and put her knowledge of art into action wherever needed. That lead her to so many places from teaching classes to kids at ministry sites like Casa Gabriel and Carmen Bajo to leading teams to Bible Studies based on Art History to creative prayer workshops. Laura married Jorge Estevez the now Director of Second Chances in 2009 and their family serves together always looking for God's leading.
DORIS ESTÉVEZ,
COORDINATOR OF HOPE CENTERS
Doris was born, raised and lives in Quito. While working part time for Second Chances Ecuador she also works at End Slavery Ministries Ecuador. She has a heart for the wounded and the vulnerable. She says that it is a privilege to work with the children at Second Chances Ecuador because they are a vulnerable group that she feels called to defend and advocate for and because while working with them she sees the hand of God transforming not only their lives and future but also positively affecting their families. She hopes to be a bridge for people to regain their dignity and thus be able to see the image of God in themselves.
PHIL DOUCE,
FOUNDER OF CASA GABRIEL
Phil and his wife, Debbie who have four children relocated to Quito, Ecuador in 2002 from Columbia, MO. Initially Phil directed Youth World ministry Hacienda El Refugio. As a family, they developed a special friendship with a group of street boys. Three years later, what started as a weekly pizza night, turned into what is known today as Casa Gabriel. Phil stepped down as director in January of 2020. Later that year, he and Debbie relocated to the US. Phil continues to work with One Collective as Youth At-Risk Consultant and Specialist.
PABLO ANTONIO MENA RUIZ,
SPIRITUAL COORDINATOR OF THE COMITE DEL PUEBLO HOLISTIC DAY CENTER
Pablo and his wife Cinthia have been the spiritual coordinators for the Comite Holistic Day Center since June of 2021. Pablo enjoys spending time with his wife an their 6-year-old son, Pablo. One passage of the Bible that inspires Pablo in his life is in Mark 10 when Jesus says “Let the little children come to me.” Pablo is passionate about introducing the Word of God to the kids in the community and planting seeds in their lives and their families’ lives.
CINTHIA ELIZABETH TEZ VALVERDE,
SPIRITUAL COORDINATOR OF COMITE DEL PUEBLO HOLISTIC DAY CENTER
Cinthia is married to Pablo and together they serve as the spiritual coordinators at the Comite Holistic Day Center. She also enjoys spending time with her family and enjoys movies. She is passionate about sharing God’s love with the children that come to the center and wants to help give them tools to grow in their spiritual life.
MIGUEL PRADO, TUTOR COMITE DEL PUEBLO HOLISTIC DAY CENTER
Miguel and his wife Wilda have with three kids. In his spare time he enjoys cooking and reading. He has been serving at the Comite Holistic Day Center since it opened in 2020. The children who attend our center are in different grades and go to different schools. Miguel works with each of them helping with projects and other school work. He plays a crucial role in helping them succeed in school and in helping them believe that they truly are capable and deserving of success.
ÁNGEL SEVILLA,
ACADEMIC COORDINATOR AND HOUSE DAD AT CASA GABRIEL
Ángel began as the academic coordinator in January of 2016. In June 2019 he and his wife Magui moved in as the house parents. Ángel, his wife and their two boys (Javier 21 and Daniel 17) now live at Casa Gabriel with the young men who participate in our full-time programing. Ángel not only handles discipline and other roles as house dad, but he enrolls each of the boys in school, monitors their grades, tutors them and purchases their school supplies and uniforms.
MAGALI RIERA, HOUSE MOM CASA GABRIEL
Magui became the house mom at Casa Gabriel in June 2019. Her, her husband, Ángel and their two children (Javier 21 and Daniel 17) do daily life with the boys, adding a needed sense of home, plus security and love, to their lives. Magui as the unique role of job of being the only female living in the house. She runs the daily goings on in the home, deciding on meals, doing the shopping, monitoring that the young men are doing their chores and keeping the home clean and put together and maintaining general order in a loving Christ-like way.
DARÍO GUAMÁN, TUTOR
Darío has been on staff at Casa Gabriel since 2016. He spends all day in our study room helping with projects and whatever school work comes up, but his specialty is math and science. As most of our young men have a rough educational background, Darío plays a crucial role in helping them succeed in school and in helping them believe that they truly are capable and deserving of success.
MELBA MORENO, SOCIAL WORKER
Melba began with Casa Gabriel in May 2017. As a social worker, she is the liaison who connects us with the families of the young men who live in our home, many of whom come from very difficult situations. She handles the main correspondence with the families, helps coordinate visits, and takes care of any legal actions that may arise. Along with that, simply having someone else who is investing in the lives of our young men they way she does is incredibly impactful. She is available for appointments where she listens to their stories, fears, and hopes and offers words of wisdom and prayer.