With two big celebrations, the center concluded its summer program for 261 participants from the Ernesto Ramos Antonini Residential Community and surrounding communities
San Juan, Puerto Rico (July 10, 2026) — With two big celebrations, Vimenti, the integrated family services center, marked the end of its 'Tu verano en la casa naranja' summer camp at its facilities located in the Ernesto Ramos Antonini Residential Complex and Villa Prades in San Juan. The summer camp welcomed more than 261 campers, who enjoyed a fun and educational experience over three weeks in June.
“I thought it was really wonderful. My daughter made new friends, had fun—which is the most important thing—and had a great time,” shared Génesis Rodríguez, mother of Gemaylee Casañas Rodríguez, a student and camper at Vimenti. “The camp has been fabulous for me. I’m always in touch with the director whenever I have any questions. I love it,” said Awilda Guzmán, grandmother of Matthew Gargado Rodríguez, a camper at Vimenti.
Under the theme “Los colores de mi tierra”, the closing celebration began with a field day for the participants and their families, held at the baseball field in the Ernesto Ramos Antonini Residential Complex. The event featured 10 stations with physical challenges designed to improve the campers’ coordination, teamwork, and speed. The celebration culminated in a talent show where nine groups of campers delighted their families with choreographed dance routines. A panel of judges, made up of Vimenti staff and volunteers, awarded certificates of recognition to the top three performances—third, second, and first place.
“This camp has been a blessing for our campers and also for us as a team,” said Mary Lou Canting, director of the extended-day program at Vimenti and coordinator of the ‘Your Summer at the Orange House’ camp. “It has brought us together; we’ve worked hard and forged a direct connection with each of the participating families. I understand that this is the most important foundation of a two-generation model: direct and constant communication with every family we serve. I thank all the members of our team who made this experience possible.”
The camp took place from June 8 to 30 at both Vimenti facilities, located in the Ernesto Ramos Antonini Residential Complex and in Villa Prades, in San Juan. The program included pottery and arts-and-crafts workshops, math and English exercises, dance, sports, STEM activities, reading, and field trips.
“Tu verano en la casa naranja” is part of the program offerings based on Vimenti’s Two-Generation Model. With this edition, the program marks seven years of operation, integrating quality education, family economic development, and social support, under the premise that a student’s academic success is closely linked to the well-being and stability of their family. During its first seven years of operation, Vimenti has reduced the poverty rate among participating families by 12%, demonstrating the impact of the Two-Generation Model on economic mobility and family well-being. As it begins its eighth year of operation, Vimenti has served 2,833 people and distributed 98,542 food portions as part of its mission to eradicate child poverty in Puerto Rico.
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About Vimenti:
Vimenti is an integrated service center for the whole family with three pillars: educational, social, and economic development. It was created in 2018 as a Two Generations service model to provide social development and economic mobility opportunities both to parents and children as a whole, as well as youths and adults. Currently, we have two locations: Vimenti I, located in the Ernesto Ramos Antonini public housing project in San Juan, and Vimenti II, in Villa Prades. Vimenti operates the first public alliance school in Puerto Rico, has an after-school program for children and youth, and also has a job development program for youth and adults in customer service and entrepreneurship. The center aspires to be an evidence-based project. For more information about Vimenti, go to www.vimenti.org. For donations, go to www.vimenti.org/donate.