The Apopa Youth Center is a sanctuary space. In the heart of gang territory, in a place where movement is restricted and violence is common, their center radiates peace, joy, and generosity. We sat down with the kids at the Youth Center to come up with ideas for how to make that sanctuary space even bigger - how to expand it out, reaching those who might not always find themselves within its walls. One boy had an idea. "There are people in this community who don't have food," he said. "We can bring them comfort and show them the good that's happening here by buying them some groceries." We loved that idea...what a wonderful way to give back, to put into action the leadership and generosity they've learned at the center. The kids put together care packages of food, with rice, sugar, flour, soup...the basics needed to create a meal. Then, they set out into their community to hand deliver the packages. And the best part? Even though we've spent the past few days on … [Read more...] about Generosity in Action
Changemakers365
Artists in Training
The kids at the Apopa Youth Center are bursting with talent. They're artistic and musical. They're into hip hop and tae kwon do. Their creativity is off the charts. These kids are looking for something - anything - to help spur on their creativity. They can barely contain their enthusiasm for art and learning! What they don't have a lot of is supplies. We went to the closest art supply store and pulled together a sampling of materials for them to test out - acrylic paint, colored pencils, charcoal, pastels, brushes, pallets, papers, and a block printing kit with plenty of ink for both fabric and paper. As we unveiled all the supplies, the looks on the kids faces was one of shock and surprise - they couldn't believe it was all for them! They got to work right away, sorting through the pile and chatting excitedly about different ideas for projects. We can't wait to see what they'll dream up and create next. … [Read more...] about Artists in Training
Everyday We’re Hustlin
The Apopa Youth Center is run by a group of spunky and hardworking Catholic Sisters. It's a place where everyone is welcome. A place where you can unwind, be yourself - and also, get fit. Every day in the afternoons, the Sisters host an aerobics class for moms. They don't have many outlets to concentrate on their health - to spend an hour just for themselves. And that's what the Sisters provide. When we asked the kids at the center how they'd do even more to keep their moms coming, they had an idea...more workout gear! Right now, the ladies workout on the hard, tiled floor, with just a stick or a broom to use for gear. "They could really use things like weights, jump rope, yoga mats, and bands," said the kids. And, the kids had another idea...what if we surprised the moms with their new equipment just before class? So they organized some chairs, sat their moms down, and one by one they brought up the equipment, explaining what each was for. They were so proud and … [Read more...] about Everyday We’re Hustlin
How We Roll
It's no secret that soccer is the world's favorite sport. And unsurprising that the kids at La Chacra wanted one thing...more of it! But, we asked, why don't you play more now? You have a field right outside your classroom, and there's plenty of time after school to play. Their answer was simple. We need jerseys, balls, and new soccer goals. The goals they had were old, small, and rusty. That's it? we thought. Now that's something we could change. We got a refresh of soccer balls for the kids, along with brand new jerseys - Real Madrid vs. Barcelona! And then the big kahuna...new soccer goals. Those were a bit puzzling to put together - how many ARC teammates and Catholic Sisters does it take to assemble soccer goal?? But with a little elbow grease, the help of our friends from the Global Shapers El Salvador hub, and just a little luck, the pieces were finally in place and the goals ready for play. It was a team effort...good practice for all the games ahead! … [Read more...] about How We Roll
Reading Rainbow
When we sat down with the kids of La Chacra, we asked about their ideas to make their community safer, better, and brighter. They had so many incredible thoughts, eagerly sharing with us and the Catholic Sisters who run their school. But one idea stood out, loud and clear. BOOKS! More novels. More textbooks. More English/Spanish dictionaries. The more books, the better. For the past few months, we've spent a lot of time with Catholic Sisters and their communities, working together to cook up big ideas for how to amplify the incredible work they're already doing. The result of these conversations? We're calling it the Color Movement. The Color Movement is all about bold, beautiful, bright colors - about feeling joy through creation. And about putting real resources into the Sisters' hands. So, we thought, what better way to bring these kids into the Color Movement than by doing something that incorporates all three - creating little libraries - and having the kids … [Read more...] about Reading Rainbow
The Great Outdoors
In the La Chacra community of El Salvador, family activities almost always take place indoors. The streets aren't safe - violence can occur suddenly. There aren't many public, outdoor spots to gather with peace of mind and a sense of security. But there's one exception. A school and community center run by Catholic Sisters. Inside its grounds, kids and families alike feel a sense of sanctuary. They can take a deep breath, they can relax a little. One thing the kids at La Chacra are really craving? Some quality time spent outside with their families. When we asked some youth in La Chacra about their ideas to make the space even more family friendly, it's no wonder that one of their most popular ideas had to do with being outdoors - picnics! "We'd like the opportunity to sit outside and eat a meal together," said one of the kids. "We can do that here." We did some sleuthing and determined the items needed for a proper picnic in El Salvador, and then we got to work! … [Read more...] about The Great Outdoors
Home is…
"This is a place for people to come and give." Gretchen is the head coordinator at the Inn Project, a transition shelter for people who have crossed the border and are waiting for their cases to be heard at immigration courts across the U.S. Although there are a few staff, the shelter really runs on volunteer power. "Volunteers come and do night shifts," said Gretchen. "We have people who come and volunteer just to sit and chat with people, which is so important. They need kind people around them right now." Volunteers at the Inn give so much of their time, energy, and heart to helping families at the shelter get through a very difficult and scary time. But the way Gretchen sees it, time spent at the shelter helps nourish the volunteers, too. "It's an enriching experience to be here," she said. "We learn as much from these families as they learn from us." There's nothing we could do to thank these volunteers enough. But, we could definitely try. Every volunteer … [Read more...] about Home is…
With Open Arms
The Inn Project in Tucson, Arizona, meets people at the end of one part of their journey - but when the next chapter is just beginning. The Project acts as a shelter for people who have gone through the immigration process at the border, but who have yet to go to where their case will be fully reviewed. But the staff at the Inn Project provide much more than a simple transition shelter. It's also a place for families to take a deep breath, to get some questions answered. To be welcomed and unafraid. "We work really hard to ensure that this is a welcoming place," says Gretchen, one of the lead coordinators. "That's what inspires me." One of the ways they can be most welcoming - especially to families - is by having spaces dedicated to children. They're cooped up in the shelter for most of the day, which, as you can imagine, can be particularly tough for the energetic little ones. "We really want to make our kids' area nice," said Gretchen. "They should be able to … [Read more...] about With Open Arms
Lightening the Load
The Catholic Sisters who run the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Mexico, have a big job. Every day, they provide meals, guidance, and things like soap and toothbrushes to people either seeking asylum in the United States or who have been recently deported. The needs are diverse - and so is their response. Sitting within a mile of the U.S. and Mexico border, these Sisters feel deeply the incredible challenges families face as they make difficult decisions and an uncertain future. They know that staying safe is a big worry for most people - they don't always know who to trust or where to seek support. That's where the backpacks come in. "When people are deported," said Sister Amelia, "They're all given the same bag to keep their belongings. Everyone knows this is the bag for deported people. It puts them at risk." These families are incredibly vulnerable. And people looking to exploit that know how to spot them in a crowd with their clearly marked bags. The Sisters … [Read more...] about Lightening the Load
Little Learning Library
Jesus is the kind of kid who absorbs knowledge like a sponge. When we visited him and his family at the La Roca shelter in Nogales, Mexico, all he wanted to do was practice his English. He took learning new words really seriously, repeating them out loud and grinning with satisfaction when he got it just right. His family is at the shelter after months of travel through Central America. And now, like the other 60 people at La Roca, he’s waiting for his turn to be interviewed with U.S. immigration. But in the meantime, he’s a little bit restless. He wants to keep learning English, wants to engage his mind. As a twelve year old, you can hardly blame him. For somebody as whip smart as Jesus, the past few months have been tough – his education has been put on hold. And other people at La Roca also told us about how during these days, they’re filled with anxiety on what might be coming next, but they don’t have much to do. One way to expand your mind and stay occupied, … [Read more...] about Little Learning Library