Centro Las Claras: New Opportunity for Teen Moms

We are delighted to share with you an update on the progress of the Las Claras program over the past months — progress made possible thanks to your continued generosity and belief in our mission.

During this period, the program continued to provide comprehensive support to adolescent mothers and their children, focusing on four key pillars: emotional well-being, education, health, and early childhood development. Our aim remains to empower these young women to overcome adversity, complete their education, acquire vocational skills, and build a sustainable future for themselves and their families.

Some of the key achievements and activities from the past six months include:

• Personal and Professional Development: The young mothers participated in a variety of workshops designed to prepare them for the workforce and to foster personal growth. These included sessions on entrepreneurship, employability, financial literacy, crafting decorative arrangements, and improving their personal and professional image. Workshops also focused on practical skills such as CV writing, customer service, and interview techniques — equipping the girls with the tools they need to secure meaningful employment.

• Health and Well-Being: In collaboration with the local health center, we organized a vaccination campaign that ensured mothers and their children were protected against influenza and other preventable diseases. Additionally, our staff received training in first aid, further strengthening our ability to provide a safe and responsive environment for our beneficiaries.

• Educational Milestones: Many of the young women have successfully completed their high school education and obtained technical certifications in fields such as administrative assistance and computer systems. Several have already begun internships in the technology sector through our partnerships, and others have transitioned into formal employment — tangible evidence of the program’s impact.

• Cultural and Emotional Enrichment: We commemorated Black Ethnicity Month with poetry, dance, and cultural activities that fostered a sense of pride and belonging. The girls also participated in theater and creative writing workshops, helping them express their emotions, build confidence, and improve their communication skills.

• Support for Their Children: Throughout this period, the children of our beneficiaries continued to receive early childhood stimulation sessions, designed to support their cognitive, motor, linguistic, and social-emotional development. These efforts ensure that both mothers and children have the best possible foundation for a brighter future.

Thanks to these initiatives — and to your invaluable support — the young women have not only advanced academically and professionally but have also developed resilience, self-confidence, and critical life skills.

Your contribution enables us to continue accompanying these adolescent mothers on their journey toward independence and well-being, breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability for both them and their children.

On behalf of all of us at Voces Vitales de Panamá and the entire Las Claras family, thank you for standing with us and for believing in the potential of these young women. Together, we are transforming lives and building a more equitable future.

The Las Claras program has continued its mission of supporting teenage mothers, focusing on four key pillars: psychosocial support, health, education, and technological training. Throughout the year, four groups of young mothers joined the program, each undergoing the Emotional Stability Phase, which provides tools to improve emotional regulation, stress management, and the development of personal and social skills.

Group Participation

• Group 11 started in March 2023.
• Group 12 joined in late September 2023.
• Group 13 began in March 2024 with 12 teenage mothers; six dropped out due to economic reasons and were replaced.
• Group 14 entered in October 2024 with 15 teenage mothers, currently in the first phase.

Areas of Intervention

1. Psychosocial Support

   • Over 1,542 hours of individual counseling and group therapy were provided by psychologists and social workers.
   • Workshops on citizen coexistence, positive parenting, sexual education, values, and social skills were conducted.

2. Health

   • Continued medical, gynecological, and pediatric care for participants and their children.
   • Promotion of contraceptive use: 13 teenage mothers opted for Implanon, while the rest used injectable methods.

3. Education

   • 20 teenage mothers graduated with a high school diploma in commerce and a technical certificate in administrative assistance.
   • 9 of them are currently employed in formal jobs.
   • Additional English courses and computer skills training were provided.

4. Technological and Job Training

   • Office Software Course for 20 teenage mothers from Groups 11 and 12.
   • Workshops on financial education, professional image, customer service, job interviews, and resume writing.
   • Literacy reinforcement, creative writing, and theater workshops, culminating in a theatrical performance based on their life experiences.
   • Partnership with GBM for a Technical Degree in Systems, with 11 participants (7 completed theoretical training and will begin internships in 2025).

Impact on Early Childhood

• The children of teenage mothers join an early stimulation program, receiving over 1,000 hours of personalized sessions to support their psychomotor, linguistic, and socio-emotional development.

Violence Prevention

• Workshops on violence prevention, rights awareness, and healthy relationships were conducted to empower teenage mothers and foster a culture of respect and equity.

Conclusion

The Las Claras program has achieved significant progress in the personal, educational, and professional development of its teenage mother participants. Through strategic partnerships and training focused on economic independence, the program continues to strengthen its pillars, offering opportunities that positively impact their lives and those of their children.