{"id":3850,"date":"2021-08-03T02:41:35","date_gmt":"2021-08-03T02:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eu.dgweb.co\/?page_id=3850"},"modified":"2025-10-27T11:49:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T16:49:25","slug":"community-engagement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/esperanzaunited.org\/en\/community-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"Prevention and social change"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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From the very beginning, Esperanza United has belonged to the Latin@ community. We believe that each participant or community we work with is their own best expert; they know their reality better than any outside force. To effectively bring about change, community participation in the development, delivery, and evaluation of our work must be \u2013 and is \u2013 fully embraced. We take a lead\/follow and teacher\/learner approach and co-create with our participants and community, which our staff are also part of.\u00a0\n

\nThat\u2019s why we work with the entire community to prevent gender-based violence, using a whole family approach. We work with youth, men, women, and gender non-conforming folks to build a culture of healthy relationships that honors Latin@ realities. \n

\nOur programs span the continuum of intervention and prevention recognizing that the lived realities and dreams of Latina women and girls, families, and communities require both. Through participation in our Prevention and social change\u00a0initiatives, 800 Latin@ youth and adults build new peer relationships, gain confidence in their roles as community leaders, and take action to promote healthy relationships and challenge social norms that perpetuate violence in its many different forms.\n

\nWe also know that communities change and we need to change with them. To do so, we regularly host listening sessions with community members, developing and expanding our Fuerza unida amig@s and other initiatives from our learnings.\u00a0\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Youth amig@s <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u201cI started coming to Fuerza unida because of my mom but I come back because Esperanza United has this welcoming environment, the workshops have a lot to offer, and healthy relationships are important and not taught in school. But they should be!\u201d

- Youth participant\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Youth amig@s are Latin@ youth leaders ages 12-18. The amig@s youth initiative promotes the safety and well-being of young people and supports Latin@ youth in developing their own sense of agency, dignity, and self-respect. As part of this program, youth present workshops, lead community action projects, attend conferences, build their networks, and plan and lead their own annual youth leadership conference. Youth amig@s gain:\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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