Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico
AbrazoPaz will offer leadership development opportunities to the Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico region in 2016 - 2017 as a follow-up to successful workshops given in 2014 - 2015 in various Lakeside communities, including El Chante, Jocotepec, and Chapala. AbrazoPaz seeks to counter the attraction of street gangs and criminal activities that pose a serious risk to Mexican youth and their communities. The program achieves this objective by developing leadership skills and nonviolence mindsets in youth through carefully structured activities designed to promote resilience and empowerment. Working with trained adult mentors, youth leaders will form and sustain peace circles that engage younger children - tomorrow’s youth leaders. Parents and community members will also be encouraged to join in and develop community events promoting peace.
Projected Schedule |
AbrazoPaz’s pilot program runs from March through May of 2016. Contact the program coordinator for specific dates of workshops.
The 2016 projected day-camp activity schedule consists of 4 levels. Planned activities, contingent on funding, include 3 overnight camp versions of the program: 1st for day-camps 1 and 2; 2nd for day-camps 4 and 5; and 3rd for day-camp 6 with youth and parents/guardians.
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Research & Development |
This pilot program will be researched collaboratively with Dr. Christina Chin-Newman, PhD, from the Human Development and Women’s Studies Department at CSUEB, to understand the impact on youth and pursuant to academically acceptable evaluation practices. PFP Certified Trainer Livier Ayon (BA Human Development summa cum laude, CSUEB) will head the project. Contingent on funding, a part-time project assistant, an events coordinator, and co-facilitators will be part of the staff.
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Funding |
Although organizations such as the Rotary in Oakland, the State University, East Bay (CSUEB) and the Western Psychological Association Division 48 of the American Psychological Association have supported this program with materials and stipends for research assistants, funding is necessary to implement this program.
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