Expanding in Mexico
we’re expanding!
We’re Building a Second Simply Smiles Children’s Village in Mexico
In Oaxaca, Mexico the need for safe, loving, and opportunity-filled homes for children is urgent. Our waitlist for coming to live with Simply Smiles contains hundreds of children and grows every day.
This is a need that Simply Smiles is uniquely qualified and positioned to address.
Ten years ago, Gabriela Chávez Hernández returned home to Oaxaca and launched the first Simply Smiles Children’s Village with an innovative new family-style model. It has been a resounding success—saving lives, transforming lives and putting children on the path to their brightest futures.
Now, we are expanding in order to double our impact. With a “sister village” model, our second Children’s Village will be located within ten minutes of the first. This proximity allows both villages to share resources while operating independently, each with its own dedicated manager and with Gaby providing oversight of both.
We are targeting a 2028 opening, driven by a $1 million campaign to build and launch this second village.
In a world where we are often left wondering how to make a difference, this is your opportunity: help us to build our second children’s village in Oaxaca and forever change the lives of children in need.
Project Snapshot
Project Timeline
Simply Smiles has extensive experience building and operating children’s villages. Over nearly 25 years, we’ve refined every component of our family-like environment to best serves children—while always customizing each village to reflect local culture and needs. Our newest children’s village will represent all that we have learned, implemented, and proven in order to significantly expand our capacity to care for children in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Expansion Strategic Planning
A clear plan for growth without sacrificing quality of care.
Simply Smiles engaged in a year-long comprehensive planning process to ensure our expansion would double our impact without compromising the family-like model that is central to making our work successful. Led by President Bryan Nurnberger and Director of Mexican Programs Gabriela Chávez Hernández, and in collaboration with our staff, community partners, and board members, the team carefully assessed every challenge of expansion. Out of this process came the innovative “sister village” concept—a strategy to grow and operate efficiently while keeping the highest quality of care at the heart of everything we do.
“Sister Village” Concept
Two villages sharing resources and doubling impact.
Our new expansion model places a second children’s village within ten minutes of the first. Each will operate independently under Simply Smiles management, but will share resources, expertise, and use the same community partnerships. This approach allows us to:
Double our impact while retaining our family-style model. Each village will have a capacity of 18 children.
Use the same schools, doctors, stores, and other community ties we already know and trust.
Ensure efficient operations and staffing, with flexibility to place children and staff in the environment best suited for them.
Reduce operating expenses by sharing selected staff and eliminating redundancies.
The “sister village” approach allows us to double the number of children in our care, strengthen our community presence, and maximize every donor dollar invested.
$1 Million Capital Campaign
Raising the funds to build, staff, and launch our second village.
To make our expansion possible, Simply Smiles has launched a $1 million capital campaign. Funds will support the land purchase, facility construction, staffing, and village launch.
We have partnered with the Connecticut Community Foundation to create the “Simply Smiles Children’s Village Fund” to manage the receipt of contributions of all types and sizes.
Purchase the Land
Securing the perfect site within the community.
The new village will be built within ten minutes of the current Simply Smiles Children’s Village as this proximity is central to our “sister village” model. The site will be between 1,000 and 2,000 square meters, providing enough space for four “casitas” where the children will live, a common building, and safe, inviting outdoor areas for children to grow and play.
Architects and Contractors
Local professionals building on proven Simply Smiles designs.
Simply Smiles has refined the layout and features of our children’s villages to best serve the needs of the children in our care. Our trusted local architects and contractors will execute the design, ensuring high-quality construction while also supporting the local economy. These long-standing partnerships allow us to combine global expertise with local knowledge.
Building the New Village
An 18-month build, guided every step of the way by Simply Smiles.
Construction will take approximately 18 months. Throughout the process, Simply Smiles leadership will oversee every detail to guarantee that the new village meets our standards of safety, efficiency, and function. During this time, new staff will be hired and trained by working alongside experienced colleagues at the current children’s village—ensuring a seamless transition and launch when construction is completed.
Staffing
A strong team, trained and ready to serve both villages.
The “sister village” approach allows us to share staff between both villages—reducing costs and creating opportunities for part-time staff to move into full-time roles. For example, positions like driver, tutor, healthcare coordinator, and office manager will serve both villages.
Leadership: Each village will have its own manager. Gabriela Chavez Hernandez will oversee both villages as Director.
Succession: Village managers are being promoted from within our current staff and are undergoing a year of training in preparation to step into the manager roles.
Mentorship: New hires will receive hands-on training at the first village before joining the second.