By Ma. Belen Montoto | Executive Director
At Fundación Calicanto, we believe that true community development begins within the family. This is also the vision championed by the Mejorando Mi Comunidad initiative, from Banco General: placing families at the heart of every strategy for social transformation. That is why we work closely with mothers and fathers, guiding them through personal and economic training processes so they can become positive role models and provide their children with safer environments filled with possibilities.
When an adult strengthens their self-esteem, expands their employment opportunities, and learns to better manage their emotions, the impact resonates throughout the home: in the confidence of children, in stronger family bonds, and in the hope of a community that recognizes its own capacity to grow and move forward.
Impact in the Community
Since 2022, we have implemented 11 programs in Juan Díaz, directly transforming the lives of more than 500 families. In the past year alone, over 80 adults participated in CAPTA training processes, strengthening their self-confidence and expanding their opportunities for employment or for consolidating small businesses.
But the impact goes far beyond the classroom. Families share with us how they have improved communication at home, learned to resolve conflicts with greater calm, and organized their household finances more effectively. These changes, though they begin within each home, ripple through the community — weaving networks of support that sustain well-being and open the door to a brighter future for all.
Looking Ahead
The challenge and opportunity lie in continuing to strengthen local networks, to prioritize mental health as a foundation for economic development, and to create more pathways to employability for women and men in Juan Díaz. Through community co-management, the support of strategic allies, and the commitment of our team, we reaffirm every day that when support arrives in a timely and integrated way, it transforms lives and communities.
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