José Juan García
Encyclopedia
Jose Juan Garcia a.k.a CheJuan (October 22, 1940-December 17, 2002) was the founder of the international institution called Hogares Crea
.
where he was raised by his parents. He had a tough childhood and experienced his first imprisonment when he was 15 years old. At a very young age, he became a drug addict and stole in order to pay for his habit. He went to prison more than once because of his drug problems. However, he was fortunate enough to have met some people who would have a positive influence in his live and change it forever, among them was the educator Ana G. Mendez
. He also attributed his acceptance of "Christ
" as a reason for his change.
"Hogares Crea". The word "Crea" stands for the re-education of the addict and the community. Those who enter the program do not have to pay a fee, but, must agree to the programs strict rules. Breaking a drug habit is not easy and those who enter the program must adopt new habits which are conductive to recovery. They must go to church on Sundays and sell caramel custards and garbage bags door to door. They also must wash cars and do community services.
Garcia's program is not financed by the government. Doctor
s, psychologist
s and others donate their time. Expenses are covered by the volunteer board of each home. Each home has enough beds for 15 people. 28 thousand people have successfully completed the program, out of 51 thousand addicts who have been treated in 36 years. In is estimated that 92% of those who have completed the program started by Garcia, have completely stayed out of drugs.
Garcia's Hogares Crea have over 152 facilities worldwide. Some of the other countries besides Puerto Rico, where Hogares Crea are established are: the United States
, Dominican Republic
, Costa Rica
, Venezuela
, Colombia
, Panama
, El Salvador
, Honduras
and Nicaragua
.
from cancer
. His son Javier Garcia and his widow Flora Rosario Johnson were involved in a dispute over the control of the organization. The organizations current director is Tomas Lamberti.
Hogares Crea
Hogar Crea is an international institution, founded in Puerto Rico, that helps drug addicts break their habits.In 1968, Jose Juan Garcia founded "Hogar Crea". The word "Crea" means for the re-education of the addict and the community. Those who enter the program do not have to pay a fee, but must...
.
Early years
Garcia was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
where he was raised by his parents. He had a tough childhood and experienced his first imprisonment when he was 15 years old. At a very young age, he became a drug addict and stole in order to pay for his habit. He went to prison more than once because of his drug problems. However, he was fortunate enough to have met some people who would have a positive influence in his live and change it forever, among them was the educator Ana G. Mendez
Ana G. Méndez
Ana G. Méndez was an educator who founded the Ana G. Mendez University System in Puerto Rico.-Early years:...
. He also attributed his acceptance of "Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
" as a reason for his change.
"Hogares Crea"
In 1968, Garcia founded in Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
"Hogares Crea". The word "Crea" stands for the re-education of the addict and the community. Those who enter the program do not have to pay a fee, but, must agree to the programs strict rules. Breaking a drug habit is not easy and those who enter the program must adopt new habits which are conductive to recovery. They must go to church on Sundays and sell caramel custards and garbage bags door to door. They also must wash cars and do community services.
Garcia's program is not financed by the government. Doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
s, psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
s and others donate their time. Expenses are covered by the volunteer board of each home. Each home has enough beds for 15 people. 28 thousand people have successfully completed the program, out of 51 thousand addicts who have been treated in 36 years. In is estimated that 92% of those who have completed the program started by Garcia, have completely stayed out of drugs.
Garcia's Hogares Crea have over 152 facilities worldwide. Some of the other countries besides Puerto Rico, where Hogares Crea are established are: the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
, Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
and Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
.
Awards and recognitions
Among the awards and recognitions he received are:- The Citizen of the Year in 1974, Granted by the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association
- Citizen of the Year 1976, by the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce
- An award from President Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
and others for the exemplary community service offered by Hogar CREA in the United States. - The Government of Puerto RicoGovernment of Puerto RicoThe Government of Puerto Rico is a republican form of government subject to U.S. jurisdiction and sovereignty. Its current powers are all delegated by the United States Congress and lack full protection under the United States Constitution...
named a plaza in Rio Piedras "Plaza Jose Juan "Cheguan" Garcia".
Later years
Jose Juan Garcia died on December 22, 2002 in San Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. His son Javier Garcia and his widow Flora Rosario Johnson were involved in a dispute over the control of the organization. The organizations current director is Tomas Lamberti.