Why We Give Back

Peter and Yamile Jiménez
(This article first appeared in the Belen Jesuit Alumni Magazine, Winter 2021 edition)

Belen Jesuit has been an integral part of our family for almost two decades. Both of our sons, Peter John ‘10, and Gabriel ‘16, always talk about their experiences from their time at the school anytime they get together. The topics involve all aspects of student life at Belen, from teachers to after-school events. The countless memories and lifelong friendships are what they remember and cherish most about their time.

As parents, what has made us most proud and what we feel has had the biggest impact on them, is how they entered Belen as boys and left as men. The morals and principles instilled in the young men at Belen prepares them for the next step in life and makes them stand out amongst other peers. We can certainly say our boys left Belen confident in themselves and knew who they were at a much earlier age than most. As Belen is no longer as physically present in our lives and our sons’ lives as it used to be, what the school and its faculty were able to instill in them is with them every day.

When asked why one gives to Belen, the answers are vast and vary for everyone. But simply put, for us it is because Belen continues to mold young boys into men who distinguish themselves no matter the stage. The motto “Men for Others” has been something our sons have stood by from the moment Belen entered their lives. Looking out for the best interest and needs of your brothers is the reason the long-lasting friendships men make at Belen last a lifetime. While it is amazing that the motto is so engraved in the brotherhood at Belen, it is evident that this goes on to apply to relationships with significant others, co-workers, and all others these men encounter along their path.

What our family loves most about giving back to Belen is we can see the immediate impact it has on those who are currently at the school. Not many investments in this world have results that can tangibly be seen so soon. Our family is beyond blessed to contribute and give back to 
an institution that has done so much more than provide an education for our sons.

Belen prides itself in being a beacon in the community and providing financial aid to many of those who enroll. Much like the pride Belen has in providing an opportunity to those from all spectrums, the Jiménez family is proud to join the countless numbers of individuals and entities who have been able to give back to an institution that has stood for almost 170 years.

We encourage you to join us in giving back to the school we all love so much. No gift is ever too small and every contribution is appreciated.
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BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain.  The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline.  In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty.  The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow.  Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.