Family and Youth Initiatives

• Bridging Refugee Youth and Children’s Services (BRYCS) 
  BRYCS is a national technical assistance program addressing challenges which refugee youth and children face in adjusting to life in the United States. It was started in 2001 as a collaboration between the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops/Migration and Refugee Services (USCCB/MRS) and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), who have partnered for over 35 years in our work on behalf of refugee children and families.  Here is a sample of their work in helping families adjust to life in the US.
• The Quinceañera Program 
  This program is an abstinence education program for Hispanic girls ages 11-15 and their parents and family. It gives the young women a chance to reflect on what their Quinceañera means as a rite of passage.
• Homeboy Industries 
  Founded by Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, Homeboy Industries‘ mission is to assist at-risk and former gang involved youth to become contributing members of our community through a variety of services in response to their multiple needs. Free programs — including counseling, education, tattoo removal, job training and job placement — enable young people to redirect their lives and provide them with hope for their futures.
• AVANCE 
  By providing support and education services to low-income families, AVANCE strengthens the families unit, enhances parenting skills which nurture the optimal development of children, promotes educational success and fosters the personal and economic success of parents.
• JOVEN 
  JOVEN’s mission is to develop character and resiliency in children by providing them with innovative and exciting programs, as well as structured alternative activities that are designed to help them to succeed.
• The National Latino Fatherhood and Family Institute 
  The goal of NLFFI is to address the multifaceted needs of Latino men and foster a positive approach to working with Latino populations, building on the strengths of familiar cultural traditions. Through research, training, and direct service, the institute helps fathers of all ages develop strong, active roles in the lives of their children, while concurrently addressing the very painful aspects of child abuse, domestic violence, gang violence, school failure, illiteracy, teen pregnancy and other related issues. A project of Bienvenidos Children’s Center, Inc., in collaboration with the National Compadres Network.
• The Guadalupe Coffee House 
  Guadalupe Street Coffee, in San Antonio Tx, offers free internet and WiFi, as well as a place to study and hang out. Many highschool students from the area, have limited access to technology, are economically disadvantaged and have a dropout rate of 9 percent. In essence, the coffeehouse’s goal is to serve as an after-school program without being perceived as one. “It’s a little piece of hope. the free internet terminals are hope. the economic opportunity that each barista job represents signifies hope. It’s more than just a coffee house. It’s a place for connections.”
• “Donde Esta la Justicia?” 
  A call to action on behalf of Latino and Latina youth in the U.S. justice system. [In English] From the National Council of La Raza 2003.