Peace Corps Dominican Republic

Youth, Families and Community

Development Project

How was the Project Developed ?

FACTORS (Why)

The creation of new Secretariat for Youth in 2000)In November of 2000, PC/DR held three multi-sectoral regional development conferences. During the meetings, potential around a PC Youth Project was discussedThroughout PC/DR’s 40 years, many PCVs have been working with young people within their sectors. 

PARTNERS (With Whom?)

Secretariat of YouthDefensa CivilCruz RojaIDBUNICEFAccion CallejeraPastoral JuvenilCasa de la JuventudMuchachos y Muchachas con Don BoscoNiños del CaminoCommunity Youth Groups

Snapshot View of Youth in the DR

24% of Dominicans living below the poverty line55% of population under 24High Infant, Child and Maternal Mortality

Life Expectancy: 66.7 yearsKey challenges faced by young people in the DR include: violence, drug / alcohol use, family disintegration, school desertion, early sexual initiation and pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, unemployment, low motivation and indifference and social exclusion

Youth, Families and Youth, Families and Communities Communities Development Development

PROJECT PLANPROJECT PLAN

Project PurposeThe PC/DR project seeks to

strengthen young people, their families and communities throughout the Dominican Republic in a manner that

enhances knowledge and skills, facilitates healthy relationships

and creates potential for positive impact within the community .

Project Goals

GOAL #1: Children and Youth Focus

GOAL #2: Family Focus

GOAL #3: Community Focus

GOAL #1:Children & Youth will be prepared to overcome the numerous social, economic, political and cultural challenges through strengthening their personal knowledge and skills

Objective 1: By the end of FY 2006, 60 PCVs and their project partners will organize recreational and arts activities with 2000 marginalized young people .

Objective 2: By the end of FY 2006, 60 PCVs and their project partners will design and provide life skills, entrepreneurial and citizenship workshops and activities with 1000 marginalized young people.

Objective 3: By FY 2006, 60 PCVs and their project partners will assess and strengthen 120 youth groups (consistent presence for 6-months).

GOAL #2:Parents and young people will develop skills and capacity to enhance communication, resolve conflicts and develop healthy family environments.

Objective 1: By FY 2006, 60 PCVs and their project partners will design and implement 240 child & youth / parent trainings around the themes of communication and conflict resolution .

Objective 2: By FY 2006, 60 PCVs and their project partners will organize and implement 240 child and youth / parent discussions.

Objective 3: By FY 2006, 60 PCVs and their project partners will organize 120 parent support groups. The support groups should be safe spaces where parents can release, share and learn with each other on the challenges around parenthood in the DR.

GOAL #3: Young people, community members and youth-serving organizations will work to improve the social, economic political and cultural well being of their respective communities. .

Objective 1: By the end of FY 2006, 60 PCVs and their project partners (with the assistance of key school personnel) will design and implement academic tutoring and literacy ‘peer training’ programs with 600 young people.

Objective 2: By FY 2006, 60 PCVs and their project partners will support 120 child and youth serving organizations to develop positive youth development approaches and relevant material.

Objective 3: By FY 2006, 60 PCVs will mobilize 120 youth and adult groups to organize projects that will increase the well-being and opportunities of young people.

Typical Volunteer Cycle Pre-Service Training (12 weeks including CBT) Months 0-3: Community Diagnostic and Relation Building 3 Month IST: Diagnostic Report and Start the 1st Year

Project Planning Process Months 3-12: Complete Project Plan, Implement, and

Monitor project 12 Month IST: Evaluate 1st year progress and Plan 2nd Year Months 12-24: Reformulate, Implement, Monitor, and

Evaluate project Months 21-24: Begin transition process Pre, 3, 12 month Site Visits Close of Service Conference

Top Ten Activities in the Youth, Families and Communities

Development ProjectNGO’s Serving Street Kids HIV and Violence prevention Literacy programs / Non-Formal Education Organizational Development Don’t Call Me Street Kid Campaign Prevention of Child Exploitation

Community Based Organizations Life skills / planning Sports and recreation Youth group strengthening Service learning projects Family Communication/ Parenting trainings

Success Story: Amanda Roberson

Amanda Roberson (2002-Present) is a Youth Volunteer working with Accion Callejera in the City of Santiago to support their work with so-called street and working children. Amanda has designed various socio-dramas around Children’s Rights and as well organized numerous creative workshops, baseball games and exchanges with NGOs in other regions of the country.  Amanda carried out a diagnostic in a marginal community from which many of Accion Callejera’s children come from in order to begin connecting the NGO’s work with children to their families. She has planned parent workshops around such themes as, Drug use; Physiological Development of Children; Domestic Violence, Sex Education and family Roles.

As a result of Amanda’s hard work and the commitment of her NGO Accion Callejera, Amanda and her NGO were selected to help organize a campaign by the Inter-American Development Bank and Peace Corps called “Don’t Call Me Street Kid!” on a national level.

Being a Volunteer is…

A Unique Experience A Challenging Experience A Growing Experience A Sharing Experience An Unforgettable Experience IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU

DECIDE IT WILL BE!

Peace Corps Dominican Republic

Peace Corps Dominican RepublicAre you ready for the challenge?

Welcome to the Youth, Families and

Communities Development

Project