Impacting Lives with Every Program
OUR SERVICES
FOOD SUPPORT
Guatemala faces high rates of malnutrition, poverty and maternal and infant mortality, especially in rural and indigenous areas. Climate disasters have also increased unemployment and extreme poverty.
Public safety, migration, drug trafficking, education and poor access to clean water and basic sanitation are some of the challenges facing Guatemalans. Many live below the poverty line, making them highly vulnerable to seasonal hunger and food shortages.
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Youth in Action ensures every family in our program who are still working to get on their feet receives food support. We provide food bags filled with over 25 pounds of nutritious non-perishables, like oatmeal, pasta, nutrient-fortified drinks, and much more.
Join us and make a difference today!
PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM
More than six million people in Guatemala, approximately 35 percent of the country’s population, lack access to basic health and nutrition services.
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Guatemala has the highest rate of stunting in the Western Hemisphere and the fifth highest rate in the world, with nearly half of all children under five stunted and the maternal mortality ratio is 113 deaths per 100,000 live births. Inequities drive the health and nutrition challenges in Guatemala, where indigenous people, people with lower educational levels, and people living in poverty are disproportionately affected.
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Youth in Action provides a range of essential health programs that aim to improve people's lives. Our initiatives include delivering nutritional education to families, distributing clean water filters, supplying essential medicines, and providing various kinds of necessary supplies. Our mentors are trained in basic health guidelines and how to, in turn, educate the communities on public health principles. We are also launching health education events and activities in the communities and basic health assessments of the families. We’ll also be creating a health network so our families have access to treatment and care, regardless of their condition or income level.
Join us and make a difference today!
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TRAINING
The old adage "give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach him to fish and feed him for a lifetime" holds true. Operating from this belief, we at Youth in Action are dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by empowering youth to develop skills that will help them permanently escape the Red Zones.
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At Youth In Action, many of our devotions and programs are centered around preparing young individuals to become engaged and collaborative adults poised for success in the outside world. For too many of our kids, working in garbage dumps, window washing, or turning to illegal means are some of the few options they see for earning an income.
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In addition to encouraging kids to stay in school—and providing the support they need to do so—we offer our older youth skills-based internship opportunities, host resume-building workshops, and provide career and interview advice. Previous participants have interned at a high-profile artisan bakery, received one-on-one training with a nationally recognized barista, learned entrepreneurial skills at a bamboo craft store, and gained job experience as mechanics.
Join us and make a difference today!
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
Part of the challenge for kids living in the Red Zones and extreme poverty is the families do not have any money to pay for basic school supplies, thus preventing them from attending.
Youth in Action believes that education is one of the keys to a brighter future and that every child deserves the chance for success at school. For that reason, we continue to provide the necessary school supplies for kids in our program. We remain committed to ensuring that no child falls behind at school because they don’t have the funds to buy school supplies.
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​We always seek opportunities to equip our children with the necessary tools to become successful in the future.
Join us and make a difference today!
COUNSELING PROGRAM
Children living in the Red Zones confront a multitude of harrowing circumstances, including violence, family abuse, drugs, prostitution, and gang activity. Our counselors are essential in providing the support these children need to navigate and overcome these daily tragedies.
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A social worker at Youth in Action plays a vital role in this process by offering emotional and psychological support, facilitating therapy sessions, and providing a safe space for children to express their feelings and experiences. They also work closely with families to address underlying issues, connect them with necessary resources, and create personalized plans to help each child cope with and rise above their challenging environment. Through their dedicated efforts, our social workers are instrumental in guiding these children toward a brighter, more hopeful future.
Join us and make a difference today!
RED ZONE OUTREACH PROGRAM
We are dedicated to educating others about the realities of life in the Red Zones, including how these areas came to be and the challenges faced by their residents. Our Red Zone Outreach Program offers a unique opportunity to experience these communities firsthand, listen to the stories of the neighbors, and work directly with the youth. This immersive experience helps participants gain a deeper understanding of the circumstances, enabling them to become more informed and effective Agents in Action.
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In this program, social workers play a crucial role by guiding participants through the community, facilitating discussions with residents, and highlighting the day-to-day struggles and resilience of those living in the Red Zones.
Join us and make a difference today!
