FEBRUARY UPDATE 2017 YOUTH CORPS: Where are they now?

We are proud to share that this year, four years after they completed their 2017 internships, six members of the 2017 Santa Cruz Youth Corps (50% of the entire group) are employed full-time working for us at Amigos!

Claudia, Jose, Daniel, Tomasa, Paulina R., and Paulina T. were all placed in different programs and spent a year working as interns. Their continued success in Amigos today proves the importance of obtaining on-the-job experience after graduation and the difference that a program like the Youth Corps makes for young graduates. It also demonstrates Amigos’ commitment to employing and training young staff, who bring a unique perspective to the organization while contributing to the development of their community.    Amigos has helped to shape a new generation of leaders over the last 20 years. Many young people in Santa Cruz now have access to higher education; however, they often struggle to find meaningful employment after graduation. The Santa Cruz Youth Corps addresses this issue and helps recent graduates to obtain on-the-job experience through internships.

Growing Up with Amigos: Juan´s Story Meet the New CECAP Director This month, we are excited to highlight a staff member who has been part of the Amigos family for a long time and is now an essential part of our organizational leadership.   ‘Juanito’ grew up in Santa Cruz and was just a kid when our founder, Pat Torpie, first began to raise funds to buy supplies for the local school. He is now part of the new generation of leaders that Amigos supported through education. After graduating from High School, Juan became one of the organization's first university scholarship recipients, and the 2nd person in all of Santa Cruz to achieve a bachelor's degree!   Juan remembers that 20 years ago, the only way to earn a living was as a fisherman or a farmer, and few prioritized education. He witnessed how Santa Cruz slowly started to diversify and develop with Amigos' help, and he is glad that young people today have more options and more power over their future.    "Amigos Vocational Training Center, CECAP, has supported the younger generation of Cruceños over the last ten years and is allowing them to learn new skills and grow as professionals. I'm happy and excited to be part of this organization and help develop my community."

Job Opportunities And New Infrastructure This year we are continuing to employ people who lost their jobs over the past year due to the pandemic by supporting infrastructure projects through our Jobs Stimulus Program. After improving the walking path from Santa Cruz to Jaibalito last year, we are now working on the path between Jaibalito and Tzununá.    Guatemala’s economy is still struggling to recover after last year's lockdown. Amigos recently sponsored our 2nd Santa Cruz Jobs Survey, to gain a better understanding of the current economic situation and how to best direct support where needed. While some opening has taken place, tourism remains incredibly low as we reach the end of what would have otherwise been our yearly high season. Many businesses are still not hiring, and many of the ones that are have had to lower the salaries that they can offer. Projects like this allow us to support local families during this difficult time by providing a living wage in a socially distanced job. Additionally, locals and tourists alike benefit from the new paths that make it easier and safer to move between towns.

amigosdesantacruz.org info@amigosdensantacruz.org

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