When it comes to giving back to the community, Spartans are leaders — and the heartwarming story of John Shinsky and his orphanage in Mexico is no exception.
Growing up for Shinsky was far from typical. When he was only seven years old, his father suffered a fatal heart attack, and shortly after that, his mother placed him in an orphanage for a chance at a better life. Shinsky waited three years before being adopted by his foster parents, who encouraged him to express himself through sports and education. He later became the captain of the football team at Michigan State University, where he earned three degrees from the College of Education: a bachelor’s degree in elementary education (’74) and a master’s degree (’77) and doctorate (’83) in special education. Turning down a professional football career, Shinsky instead worked for 20 years as the director of special education at Lansing School District.
“It was the best move I ever made,” he said.
Although Shinsky had already led an extremely successful life, he still felt that he had not found his true calling. Then, it happened: while Shinsky was traveling by plane on a business trip, he had a chance conversation with a stranger, who was volunteering his spring break to work in a run-down orphanage in Mexico.
It was then that Shinsky first entertained a dazzling idea about opening his own orphanage in Mexico.
Shinsky’s dream became a reality when a local businessman generously donated 17 acres of land to serve as the site for the orphanage. Knowing that the facility would cost close to $1 million, Shinsky created a fund-raising initiative with two former teammates from the MSU football team: Joe DeLamielleure and Eljay Bowron. With the support of several communities, the three alumni were able to meet their monetary goal by taking a 2000-mile “bike journey of love” from MSU’s Spartan Stadium to Mexico.
On Sept. 5, 2009, Shinsky became the proud owner of Ciudad de los Niños (Spanish for “City of the Children”). Located in Matamoros, Mexico, the orphanage currently serves as the home and school of more than 140 abandoned children.
Recently, Shinsky’s incredible journey was documented by Big Ten Network‘s LiveBIG show.
“This was a dream of mine—it’s a passion of mine—and the greatest thing about it is that every minute or second that I contributed to this project I see in the eyes of these children,” Shinsky said. “To see them have an opportunity at a new life is totally invigorating.”