Help youth in Costa Rica build a brighter future!

Dear friends,

Thanks to your continued support, young people in Costa Rica are not just dreaming of a brighter future—they are building it! Your generosity allows us to provide education, leadership opportunities, and safe spaces for youth to thrive, even in communities facing poverty and high dropout rates.

This past quarter, we celebrated incredible milestones through our community programs:

• youth in Anonos and Diques joined weekly leadership sessions, developing resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

• We hosted the first Youth Connection Party, where 70 adolescents participated in creative challenges around values, innovation, and personal growth.

One powerful story is that of Ana, a 15-year-old who once considered leaving school to help at home. Through Lifting Hands, she discovered her leadership potential, received mentorship, and is now not only continuing her studies but also organizing peer-to-peer tutoring sessions. Her dream is to become a teacher, and she told us: “Now I know my voice matters, and I can inspire others.”

Working closely with schools and families showed us that youth need both emotional support and practical opportunities. This year we integrated art therapy and sports sessions alongside academic mentoring, making learning fun and holistic.

We also learned that celebrating small wins (like completing a group project or speaking up in class) builds lasting confidence. These insights will guide the next phase of Lifting Hands.

Your generosity fuels every success story. With your continued support, we can ensure that more Costa Rican youth break cycles of poverty and become leaders in their communities. Together, we are proving that a brighter future is possible when young people are given the chance to shine.

Thank you for standing with them!

This quarter, the Youth Program at Lifting Hands has become a vital hub for over 80 teens from vulnerable communities who are eager to learn, grow, and find direction. Through workshops on life skills, emotional health, career exploration, and English classes, we’re equipping young people not only to dream of a better future, but to actively build it. Many of these teens face high-risk environments, and this program offers stability, mentorship, and a sense of belonging.

Ana, 17, told us, “Before coming here, I felt lost. I didn’t think I had anything to offer. Now I’ve discovered my strengths, and I want to study psychology so I can help others.” Another participant, Kevin, recently completed our resume and job-readiness module and has just landed his first part-time job. These moments are not just personal wins — they ripple into entire families and communities. Our emotional wellness sessions have also created a safe space for teens to open up about anxiety, identity, and personal challenges — often for the first time.

Looking ahead, we’re developing a peer mentorship model and exploring vocational partnerships to offer more hands-on experience. Thank you for walking alongside us as we invest in Costa Rica’s next generation of changemakers.