KARATE KIDS OF AMERICA
Eli Guerra's dream was to find a way to provide a safe place for Harlandale youth to have fun in a Christian environment. Rev. Duanne Farris believed in Eli's dream and in 1981 Karate Kids of America became a reality and offered its first Karate classes in the social hall of Harlandale Presbyterian Church. Karate Kids of America now has thousands of children and teenagers participating in Karate classes in San Antonio and communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. Karate Kids of America has received recognition from Gov. Rick Perry, and national recognition, from Pres. George Bush, as an excellent effective program whose purpose is to keep kids away from gangs, drugs, and alcohol.
GUARDIAN ANGEL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Susan Guerra began her life-long career, caring for children, as a sister in the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul at Guardian Angel Settlement in St. Louis, Missouri. Susan’s call at Guardian Angel was to serve the community in the name of Christ. Later, when Susan was n
o longer a nun, she married Eli Guerra. When the Guerra's had two children of their own, Susan once again was concerned about building communities that care about children. So in 1981 the Guerras rented a classroom at Harlandale Presbyterian Church and Guardian Angel Child Development Center enrolled its first 5 children, including the Guerra's 2 children. Guardian Angel's enrollment grew, workers were hired and trained and more rooms were needed to meet the need of the community for good childcare. Rev. Fred Norris became an avid supporter of Guardian Angel. "Padre Fred" made a pot of soup every day in the church kitchen so parents could drop in from work or between classes at Harlandale
Senior High School across the street, to have lunch with their children.
The Guerra family based their model for childcare on what Susan had observed at Guardian Angel in St. Louis - to serve the needs of the community by providing a safe, loving place for God's children. Their ministry is based on the teaching of Jesus - respect for the dignity and worth of each person. The Bible tells us that the good news of the gospel is a message of hope. The Guardian Angel mission
states, "Hope is the message we will work to instill in all those touched by our work".
In October 2003, Guardian Angel Child Development Center became the official owners of the church property at 1630 Pleasanton Road. We celebrated with worship and thanksgiving for the new purpose for our beloved church. The Guerra family has invested thousands of dollars refurbishing the building and for the installation of equipment required by the codes for a childcare facility. Today there are 80 children between the ages of 6 weeks to junior high age enrolled at Guardian Angel. After school and summer programs include computer classes, dancing, arts and crafts, and cooking instruction.
The ministry of Guardian Angel brings the good news of hope to families who live in today's Harlandale community, and to former members of Harlandale Presbyterian Church - that God's work will still be done at 1630 Pleasanton Road in San Antonio, Texas.