La Paz Mayor Milena Quiroga Romero has officially launched construction of a new children’s home designed to care for kids from birth through age 12 who are under state custody. The facility, called Casa Cuna Hogar La Paz “Corralitos,” will be built in partnership with the state DIF (Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia), the government agency responsible for family welfare services in Baja California Sur.
A Campus Built Around Age Groups
The Corralitos home will be organized into multiple residential units tailored to different age groups. A dedicated “Baby Villa” will house newborns through age 5, providing specialized care for the youngest children in state custody. Four additional villas will serve children aged 6 to 12, separated by both age and sex.
Beyond the residential quarters, the campus will include several support facilities. A school and children’s library will provide on-site education. A medical clinic will handle health needs without requiring trips across town. A computer center will give children access to technology, and a small farm will be part of the grounds.
Filling a Gap in Child Welfare
The project addresses a longstanding need in Baja California Sur’s capital. La Paz, home to roughly 300,000 residents, is the state capital and the largest city in BCS. Children who enter state care through the DIF system have historically relied on a patchwork of smaller shelters and foster arrangements. A purpose-built, comprehensive facility of this scope is a first for the city.
DIF agencies across Mexico operate shelters and children’s homes at both the state and municipal level. They handle cases involving abandonment, abuse, and neglect, often working alongside family courts and prosecutors. The Corralitos project pairs the La Paz municipal government’s construction effort with DIF’s role in child protection and family services.
Mayor Quiroga Romero, who took office as La Paz’s first female mayor, has made social welfare programs a priority during her administration. The groundbreaking ceremony took place with local officials present, though no completion date or total construction budget has been publicly announced.
This story was first reported by BCS Noticias.