Helping Families Break Cycles of Violence

For those who are unfamiliar with the structure of JUCONI it is made up of two distinct areas: the family intervention team and the community team. The community team primarily works on prevention vis-a-vis workshops for children, families, as well as educators in the various marginalized neighborhoods of Guayaquil (ie. SocioVivienda 2, San Francisco, Balerio Estacio). The intervention team is focused on healing intergenerational cycles of trauma through therapeutic sessions in the home.

Over the course of the previous year, JUCONI conducted weekly prevention based groups on the following topics: youth identities, femicide, understanding and dealing with emotions, the importance of education, drug prevention, cycles of violence, television content, breaking silence (prevention of sexual abuse) and self-care as a protective factor for families. JUCONI also provides creative spaces where children can learn through doing. Throughout these activities they express their creativity by painting and drawing, as well as learning about positive social interactions.

Within these spaces empathy, confidentiality, ethics, and solidarity are paramount. This groundwork allows the weekly workshops and groups JUCONI offers to remain a source of inspiration for the community. It also encourages sustained participation and helps to achieve consistent collaboration among the families of the communities.