History/Historia
La Puerta inicia en el verano del 2017 ante la necesidad de la comunidad imigrante en Waco por tener una oficina que tenga una lista de recursos y personas que hablen español. Nuestra visión y meta esta por da su primer paso el Miércoles 4 de Octubre 2017 cuando las puertas como La Puerta Waco se abren.
In the summer of 2017, as the pastor of the Spanish service congregation, I began to see the divide between the Spanish speaking resources that existed in Waco and the Hispanic community’s ability to access them. We began to formulate the plans for an office that has the resources and Spanish speaking personnel that could serve and support the Hispanic/Latino community in Waco. The main barriers to access were language and Spanish speaking representation in agencies. People were afraid to trust agencies and legal offices due to a lack of bilingual services. I saw the need of an office that is able to accompany our Hispanic/Latino neighbors in their struggles.
Mission
La Puerta means the door and the logo is a key. We believe that every person in the community deserves to be heard and have an opportunity for their needs to be met. We believe that an empowering and loving environment can impact not only their lives, but also the next generations of Spanish speakers in Waco.
La Puerta is a 501(c)3. La Puerta model is to be a faith-based community ministry. The mission of La Puerta is to be a ministry of accompaniment, which means walking alongside with the community practice of hospitality that seeks to connect the Hispanic/Latino community with social, legal, mental health and medical services they need. La Puerta’s response to the language barriers is to provide an array of non-traditional programs that prioritizes family support and technology, together with life skills training – all within a faith-based environment.
La Puerta stands for three faith-based welcoming pillars: educate, accompany and advocate. Through education La Puerta provides ESL, GED, Computer, Sewing, Soap, Art, Nutrition, Diabetes, Finance, Yoga, Gardening, and Cooking classes. La Puerta accompanies by empowering the Hispanic/Latino community in finding the help that they need. And holistic advocates as the Spanish speaking office partnering with social services and the City of Waco to better meet the needs of the Hispanic community.
Board of Directors/Directores
Mike Hardin, MD.
As a family physician since 1995, Dr. Hardin has worked in a variety of settings including private practice, hospital medicine, clinic leadership, global health, and academic medicine. He served as a medical missionary for four years in Ecuador at Hospital Vozandes del Oriente. Currently, as Chief Clinical Officer for Waco Family Medicine, Dr. Hardin coordinates the system’s medical, dental, and behavioral health care and oversees WFM Institute’s academic programs.
Suzii Paynter
Suzii Paynter March is a graduate of Baylor University, with a lifetime of experience in organizational leadership and public advocacy. In September 2019, she became executive director of Prosper Waco. Suzii has held advocacy and leadership roles with the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, the Christian Life Commission, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and Pastors for Texas Children.
Lisa Hull, CPA, PC.
Lisa Hull is a Vice President & Trust Officer at Community Bank & Trust. She received her Certified Public Accountant designation in 1987 and continues to practice accounting for a few select clients. Lisa serves as a mentor in the LEAD program and also volunteers with Christian Women Job Corps as an instructor in the GLOW program. A graduate of Texas A&M University with a BBA and Baylor University with an M.T., she has two adult daughters and four grandchildren and enjoys cooking and reading in her spare time.
Hector Sabido, MBA.
Hector received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University. He received his Master’s, in Business Administration, from Tarleton State University. He and his wife, Ilda, have two children, Jeremiah and Mia. Hector also serves on various community boards. Hector Sabido, a native Wacoan, was sworn into the Waco City Council, District II in May 2019, and again in May 2021. He currently serves as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Waco. He's currently the General Sales Manager of Prophecy Media Group, LLC, a cluster of radio stations in Central Texas.
Daryl Weems, ALC.
Daryl Weems has made Central Texas his home for the past 21 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of Katy High School. Daryl owned and operated a construction company that built many homes in and around the greater Waco area. It was during this time that Daryl became interested in the real estate sales side of construction and knew that his extensive construction background would benefit buyers and sellers alike. He earned his real estate license in 2008, became a licensed broker in 2011, and holds the designation as an accredited land consultant/ALC. He is also a graduate of the Texas Real Estate Leadership program 2010.
Mary Ann Hill
Mary Ann graduated at Baylor University in 1963. She is strong supporter of organizations relating to Baylor University. She served as President of the Baylor University Women’s Council of Dallas in 2013-14 and spearheaded the Barnabas Circle Endowed Scholarship Campaign the year. She was a member of the Louise Herrington School of Nursing Going for the Gold Gala Task Force from its origination in 2011. Mary Ann is an active member of First Baptist Church Waco and serve as a deacon. From January 2017 to 2022, Mary Ann served as an alumni advisor to her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, for the chapter of active students on the Baylor campus. Presently, she serves as the board chairperson for Polyphony Music Resources, a non-profit organization founded during Covid to provide support and nurture for professional church musicians.
Kathy Hillman, MLS.
Librarian Kathy Hillman is Associate Professor and Director of Baptist Collections, Library Advancement and the Keston Center for Religion, Politics, and Society at Baylor University. A former President of Texas Woman’s Missionary Union and Vice President and Recording Secretary of national WMU, Kathy served as Second and First Vice President of the Baptist General Convention of Texas before her election as BGCT President. In addition to volunteering at First Baptist Church of Waco, she’s a member of the Baptist Standard Board and assists as Paisano Baptist Encampment’s Vice President of Public Relations. Kathy earned a BA from Baylor and a Master of Library Science from the University of North Texas, took postgraduate business courses, and holds all-level library and secondary English and speech teaching certificates. She and her husband John have three adult children and seven grandchildren, four of whom were adopted through the foster care system.
Staff/Líderes
Executive DIRECTOR
Dr. Israel Loachamin | Associate Pastor of Spanish Ministry
israel@fbcwaco.org
Dr. Israel Loachamin is a two-time alumna of Baylor University with his Master of Divinity in 2019 and Doctor of Ministry in 2022. Israel is married to Emily and has two sons, Lucas, and Gabriel. He serves as an associate pastor for Spanish Ministry at First Baptist Church Waco and is the founder and executive director of La Puerta. Israel was a Waco Under 40 Honoree in 2021. Israel has served as board member of Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee for the City of Waco Texas, Bienestar Latino Mental Health Coalition, Equitable Vaccine Allocation Subcommittee for the McLennan County Public Health District, Amberly Collaborative, and others.
OFFICE administrator
Elisa Muñoz
oficina@lapuertawaco.com
Intership Supervisor
EMILY MORROW-LOACHAMIN, LMSW, MDIV
Emily Morrow-Loachamin, LMSW, is a trilingual (English/German/Spanish) native Texan who has lived and worked in Texas for many years. She received her undergraduate degree in International Studies and Affair from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. Emily worked with at-risk youth in the legal system at BCFS shelter, foster care, post-release and home studies. She earned her graduate degree in social work and divinity at Baylor University. While in school, she worked with BCFS post-release/home studies, Family Abuse Center, Communities in School, and CWJC, specializing in community. Emily was the director of Refugio Maranata (Urban Strategies). Most recently, Emily’s lifelong passion for teaching at Baptist University of the Americas, San Antonio, TX and supervising BSW/MSW interns at La Puerta.