Youth in Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua, MX often feel hopeless as they try to craft a future in a small village without youth services and where drug gangs offer enticement to join. This project will establish a safe place where youth can meet to socialize and learn skills to inspire their future. Trained staff will teach a wide range of classes and activities (e.g. first aid, robotics, music, drawing, computer skills, pottery, Mental health counseling will be available.
There are very few activities for teens outside of school in Palomas, a town of about 5,000 people. It is a rural area and houses a border crossing from the USA. Drug gangs wander the streets looking for youth willing to join them, often enticing kids to try smuggling drugs across the border. Violence often ensues. In the past year, 12 people have "disappeared" from Palomas, several of them teens. Many teens don't attend high school or dropout once they start.
This project will establish a youth center with trained staff where teens can socialize and learn skills that will help them imagine a future for themselves. It will be open afternoons and evenings, six days a week. Mental health counseling will be available. Participants and staff together will plan classes of interest. These may include first aid, art, robotics, communication skills, meditation, sewing, guitar, sports and more. Volunteer opportunities will offer skill building.
At least 150 teens will participate regularly in the activities at the youth center in the first year. The project will inspire teens to attend school and pursue goals for their future that may include leadership roles in Palomas or other towns in Mexico. Youth who participate will find support and feel more confident in their abilities.
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