Dear United Women in Faith friends,
Every morning before sunrise, our students begin a journey that many adults would find overwhelming. Most wake up while it is still dark outside, prepare for the day quickly, and make their way to the international bridges connecting Ciudad Juárez and El Paso. They stand in long lines, face uncertainty at the ports of entry, and then continue to school carrying backpacks, dreams, and responsibilities far beyond their years.
And yet, they keep coming.
They come because they believe education matters. They come because they believe their future can be different. They come because they still have hope.
At Lydia Patterson Institute, we are reminded daily that our students are not defined by hardship. They are resilient, intelligent, compassionate, and full of promise. Sometimes all they need is someone to believe in them and a safe place where they can discover who they are becoming.
Recently, one of our students, Sofia, stayed after school, working quietly on a small art project. 
At first, she hardly spoke. One of our teachers slowly learned that she had been struggling with anxiety and uncertainty about her future. Like many of our students, life circumstances slowly convinced her that her dreams might always remain out of reach.
But over the course of a few weeks, something changed.
As Sofia continued creating artwork and spending time in a supportive environment, she began opening. She started helping younger students with projects. Her teachers noticed her participating more in class and engaging with classmates. One afternoon, she quietly shared, “I think maybe I really can go to college someday.”
Those words may seem small, but at LPI we understand how powerful they truly are.
The vision for the new Creative Arts Studio is about so much more than a building project. It is about creating a safe and inspiring place where students can express themselves, discover hidden talents, process emotions in healthy ways, and simply experience the joy of being creative. More importantly, it would become a place where students feel seen, heard, valued, and safe.
At the same time, one of our greatest ongoing needs continues to be student scholarships. Every student at Lydia Patterson Institute receives scholarship assistance because we believe no child should be denied access to education due to financial hardship.
For many, education is simply considered a rite of passage. For our students, it is often their pathway to safety, opportunity, dignity, hope, and a future they once believed might never be possible.
Today, the cost of providing one year of education, care, opportunity, and support for a single student at LPI is approximately $11,500. As economic challenges continue to affect many churches, organizations, and families, raising scholarship funds has become increasingly difficult. Yet we continue moving forward in faith because we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, dream, and discover their God-given potential.
If this story speaks to your heart, we invite you to continue walking with us through prayer, encouragement, and support for the Creative Arts Studio and scholarship ministry of LPI. 
With gratitude and hope,
Dr. Carla Cardoza
President / Head of School
Lydia Patterson Institute, El Paso, TX
Our 2026 Conference Mission Project is raising funds for a Creative Arts Studio at Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso. Learn more about the project here.
Watch for a letter with a story in our newsletter from "La Lydia" each month. Each letter will be posted in our Blog section too.
