The 2025 Southwestern Advantage Sizzler service project brought nearly 200 student reps to Cancún, Mexico, where they once again served Casa Hogar San José de la Inmaculada—the same organization they partnered with during the 2018 Sizzler service project. This year’s effort continued a long-standing tradition of giving back during Sizzler Week and investing in communities that care for children facing hardship.
A Meaningful Return to Casa Hogar San José de la Inmaculada
Casa Hogar San José de la Inmaculada was founded more than 30 years ago by a group of Catholic nuns who still operate independently, providing safety, stability, and support for young girls who have experienced extreme poverty, abandonment, or abuse. Returning to this organization was more than a reunion—it continued a partnership built on trust and shared purpose.
During their 2018 visit, Southwestern Advantage student reps helped clean the property and construct a second-story housing addition, allowing the sisters to care for more girls. The 2025 project expanded that impact even further.
What the 2025 Sizzler Service Project Will Accomplish
Thanks to $30,000 raised during Service Week in the summer, the 2025 team took on several critical repairs and improvements at Casa Hogar on November 24–25. Major projects included:
Rebuilding the Perimeter Wall
The compound’s surrounding wall had become structurally unsafe due to cracking and leaning. Student reps helped demolish the damaged sections and prepare the area for a safe rebuild—an essential upgrade for the girls’ security.
Restoring and Rejuvenating the Property
In addition to the main wall project, students:
- Removed unused and unsafe playground equipment
- Cleaned the grounds and burned excess brush
- Painted trees to help protect them from insects
- Repaired the main playground structure
- Investigated and resolved the facility’s loss of water on the second floor
These improvements ensured the girls had a safe and welcoming environment for daily life, studying, and play.
Stories That Inspire the Work
Every Sizzler service project carries meaningful stories, but Casa Hogar’s history held moments that continued to shape Southwestern Advantage’s commitment.
One involved a young girl who clung to one of the sisters throughout the 2018 project—always by her side. After being reclaimed by her mother and later returning to an orphanage with her brother, tragedy struck when their mother passed away. The same sister, now preparing to retire, planned to adopt both children so they could grow up in a stable, loving environment.
“These are the types of people we love to help: those who are selfless, determined, and see those who are otherwise unseen,” said Trey Campbell, Vice President of Communications & Government Relations.
Another portion of the 2025 Service Week funds covered a flight for an American–Mexican girl who had no passport and was stuck in an orphanage. The support allowed her to travel to the United States and receive the care she needed—a life-changing step made possible by donations from Southwestern Advantage student reps.
Why Service Matters at Sizzler
The Southwestern Advantage Sizzler trip was more than a celebration of a successful summer. It was an opportunity for student reps to invest in leadership, empathy, and community impact. The annual service project embodied what the program stood for: personal growth paired with meaningful action.
Acknowledging what drove so many students to serve, rep Joseph Abdulai shared, “It’s just good to give back and put positivity into the world. It makes me feel good and also helps the world feel good, so it’s a win-win situation.”
As students returned to Casa Hogar San José de la Inmaculada, they weren’t just rebuilding walls—they were reinforcing a relationship that has changed lives on both sides. The 2025 Sizzler service project continued a legacy of showing up where help matters most.
