This project provides guidance and support to at-risk youth to ensure school retention and academic progress. Due to pandemic and stagnant socio-economic conditions, Puerto Rico's students are in urgent need of encouragement in order to know they can progress as individuals and members of a community. Our Caney (Centers for Academic support and Safe Space) are designated places within schools where students find academic and pyscho-social support, and access to our various other programs.
Puerto Rican youth who drop out of school often have lower levels of income and poorer outcomes compared to those who stay in school. At-risk youth have suffered greatly from school closure since the pandemic and the country's ongoing economic struggles and criminal activity. Mental, physical and emotional hardships challenge our students, and motivation to excel academically is low. Our Caney centers have proven successful in changing youths' perspectives about what is possible in their lives.
Caney provides academic support through supervised homework, tasks, tutoring, individualized support, study plans and educational workshops. The safe space provided in our academic centers is used for discussing personal matters, studying without supervision, activities, workshops and following up on students' plans of action. Other resources provided include computers, printers and snacks. Psychologists are available for support to students referred by teachers.
Our organization has provided services to students for more than 30 years. Its programs and projects are designed to exist for the long term and to expand throughout Puerto Rico as they are needed and resources are available. We have already seen the consistent positive impact on students, who often just need a capable person who is willing to listen and offer advice. Through Caney and other projects, we foster lasting relations with participating youths.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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