Dear Sir,

The Lake Chapala Society promotes itself as a pillar of community, cultural respect, and ethical engagement. My direct experience as its former Executive Director compels me to say plainly: its current actions fall short of those principles.

Dear Sir,

Mr. Rogers was famous for saying, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

It is rare for me to make a specific appeal on behalf of a single child. Generally, I write to our supporters about how we work, offering details and insights into our program. Today is different — today I am looking for helpers.

Dear Sir,

I am the former manager of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) Children’s Art Program – a post I held from 2011 to 2024. I still care very much about the kids and the program and, for about two months, have been trying to correct an issue with the sale of children’s art at LCS.

Dear Sir,

The Lake Chapala Society Board of Directors acknowledges the recent resignations of the President and Executive Director.

Leadership transitions, while significant, do not alter our commitment to the mission, staff, volunteers, community and members of LCS. Programs and services continue uninterrupted.

Dear Sir,

On Sunday, February 22, my wife and I left our home in Ajijic around 10 a.m., heading for Barra de Navidad on the Pacific coast. What should have been an uneventful four-hour road trip turned into an ordeal that stretched past midnight — but also became a powerful reminder of the kindness of the Mexican people.

Dear Sir,

The following is the text of a letter that I wrote to James Burns, the executive director of the Lake Chapala Society (LCS), and to other members of the LCS administration, following my termination as a volunteer teacher at the Wilkes Education Center. The center is run under the auspices of LCS.