MONTERREY, MEXICO (February 4, 2010) – The Family Development Foundation recently installed two national directors, the first time Mexicans have filled an executive position at the nonprofit started by missionaries of The Evangelical Covenant Church in 1999.

Sandra Cazares de Monjardin (in gray shirt) and Claudia Garza de Behena (on crutches) are installed as directors of The Family Development Foundation. (Note: Kerith Weld, Covenant missionary is standing behind Sandra and Patricia Restepo, Covenant missionary, is standing next to Claudia.)

Claudia Garza de Behena and Sandra Cazares de Monjardin are now the top officers of the foundation. Garza de Behena will focus primarily on the foundation’s programs and leaders as well as developing additional partnerships with other organizations. Cazares de Monjardin will oversee finance and administration, including pursuing government grants.

The organization is a ministry of the Department of World Mission and the Covenant Church of Mexico that offers parenting, marriage enrichment, and conflict resolution courses. It also provides a unique holistic ministry for families who have members with Down syndrome.

Until now, Covenant missionaries had directed the program, says missionary Brian Weld, its most recent director. Weld says the installation of Garza de Behena and Cazares de Monjardin is an exciting milestone because, “We feel that as missionaries, our role is to walk alongside nationals and look toward their development and eventual roles in positions of leadership.”

Both women, along with their husbands, have been facilitators in the Parenting and Marriage Enrichment courses. Garza de Behena coordinated the programs over the past year. Cazares de Monjardin has helped developed the foundation’s youth group ministry.