Salesian institution celebrates 40 years of serving youth 

(MissionNewswire) The Network of Boys and Girls with Don Bosco provides educational and pastoral services for youth in situations of vulnerability and exclusion in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba*. Founded in 1985 in the Salesian Province of the Antilles, the institution is marking its 40th anniversary serving youth and their families.

Youth in these centers have been living on the street, are unaccompanied migrant minors, have dropped out of school or have low levels of schooling, live in extreme poverty, and have been victims of violence. Salesians support and educate youth through a series of programs in education, sport, culture, art, technical and vocational training, school monitoring, faith education, the promotion of human rights, employment, and the environment, among other programs that help them have hope for the future.

A Salesian explained, “The institution began with the initiative of Father Juan Linares to support youth who were engaged with the María Auxiliadora youth center. The organization was working with youth who were working instead of being in school. They called themselves Newsboys with Don Bosco and were able to access support and education through the center.”

Currently, the institution has 12 youth centers located in four provinces in the Dominican Republic. Of these, five are residential homes, two of which are for girls. These centers are run by the Salesian Family and the Parish Missionaries of Mary Help of Christians.

The Salesian said, “We developed a staged educational process that seeks the human, social and spiritual development of these youth in a suitable family environment. These stages help to welcome youth into the program, socialize them with other youth, provide support and education, and help them connect with their community. The goal is to help them lead healthy and productive lives.”

Nearly half of youth under the age of 18 live in poverty in the Dominican Republic, according to UNICEF. Although the country’s economy has been steadily improving, the country’s poor people still struggle to get enough food to eat and to access safe drinking water and adequate housing. Only 30% of youth finish primary school and only 18% finish secondary school on time. Schools are in poor shape with nearly half having no access to safe drinking water and more than 60% lacking adequate bathroom facilities.

###

Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – RMG – Social works that bring Don Bosco to life today: the Don Bosco Network, 40 years transforming lives and building a better future

Salesian Missions

UNICEF – Dominican Republic

*Any goods, services, or funds provided by Salesian Missions to programs located in this country were administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control.