Our Impact
WHAT KINDS OF NEEDS HAVE WE SERVED?
(Updated March, 2024)
In the second semester of 2023 we served more than 95 young people (22 of which were new to our Resource Center). We also got over 109 volunteers involved with our work.
Check out some stories below!
Jumpstarting Jose
At five years old, Jose left his home to escape his dad’s beatings. After a season in the streets, he ended up under state care in Bogotá, the largest and most populous city in Colombia. Despite the rough start, Jose emerged as a gentle-mannered, sweet, and cheerful young man. A talented soccer player, he once had the chance to play in a European championship, only to be denied by bureaucratic barriers — a frustratingly common tale for many youth in state care.
In 2018, a social worker's recommendation brought Jose to our doors at Viva Youth, a Christ-centered organization providing crucial support to at-risk youth exiting Colombia's state care system. With us, they aren't just individuals; they're family, referred to as "Primos" or cousins, finding solace and an opportunity to heal emotionally while learning essential life skills.
Jose never finished high school, which was the responsibility of the orphan care institution. His communication and academic skills were deficient. Despite efforts to uncover any potential learning disabilities, no conclusive answers were found. After completing Viva Youth’s main life-skills training program, Jose still found himself on and off the streets. He would get on public transportation with a speaker and dance to hip hop music for coins.
Over the years, our team at Viva Youth helped Jose find jobs, but only a few weeks later, he would come back telling us that he was in the streets again. We built a “Jose Handbook” to prepare for his next visit. In our staff meetings, we discussed new and more creative approaches to getting him off the streets. Jose does not use drugs, does not drink, he is not violent. But stability remained elusive.
Then, in July 2022, a transformative moment arrived — Jose embraced faith and was baptized. The following six months saw both triumphs and challenges, yet a newfound openness to guidance emerged. Jose began seeking advice from Viva Youth, signaling a significant shift.
At another pivotal point in February 2023, bolstered by positive changes, we recommended Jose again to an employer. This time, he not only retained his job but excelled, becoming the gatekeeper at a clinical lab on a 1.5-acre property housing the Viva Youth non-profit. Ten months of steady employment shattered previous records, propelling him from a rented room to his furnished apartment.
Jose’s deep connections with the community of kids who exit state care in Bogota (the ones we call Primos) have made him crucial to our work. When Jose finds out that one of them needs help, he refers them to our Resource Center. When they are homeless, Jose’s apartment becomes transitional housing for them. When they hide from us, Jose keeps us updated on their whereabouts and personal situation.
Viva Youth's 22-week program, while significant, required five years to witness Jose's remarkable progress. The recurring lesson was clear—beyond programs, youth like Jose need a genuine community of faith that they can call family. Amidst a revolving door of social workers and psychologists, Viva Youth strives to provide enduring connections.
Pray for Jose as he pursues a high school diploma and technical certifications. His story, a testament to the transformative power of faith, community, and education, stands as a living testament to God’s love and Viva Youth's unwavering support.
Elena’s strength is also her weakness: her independent spirit kept her alert to risks, but also immune to good advice. When she was about to take advantage of an apparently great opportunity to work abroad, we saw enough red flags to convene a task force to surround her and keep her from getting on that plane. When evidence of the sex trafficking nature of the job offer became evident, she decided to go anyway only to unmask the traffickers. Not on our shift! Through partnering with specialized organizations, Elena learned how to build a steadier path towards being a world changer. Go Elena!
Manuel had made it clear that his case worker forced him to come to our Resource Center, but he had no intention of getting involved. He was about to exit state care anyways, so what was the point? Truly, his profile did not fit any of the government-offered opportunities for higher education, so everything pointed to him being one more “forever-orphan” falling through the cracks. But after a few weeks engaged in our learning community, his case worker noticed a transformation big enough that he was considered for a scholarship in gastronomy, which allowed him to stay living in the state home until he finishes his career. What a close call!
—I’m too shy!—said Johana
—And I don’t care about anything—said Mario
But the decision was made: we were going to plan a volunteering project with the children of an indigenous community in the northern desert of Colombia, and our cohort of ill-prepared young people was going to be in charge of putting every single detail together, from the logistics of food and transportation, to the theater plays and outdoor games. And put it together they did! In a matter of 20 weeks, these guys and gals went from quiet and disoriented, to empowered community leaders in a cross cultural setting. I get shivers just remembering that last night in the desert, celebrating their graduation from our learning lab in front of dozens of new friends.
Pablo may or may have not been a child soldier. His story is shady, full of holes and secrecy, but it is for sure that he comes from a region of Colombia with a lot of internal conflict = war. When he started coming to the program, he was jittery; a helicopter flying over would make him tense and suspicious. He had nervous twitches and a knee that wouldn’t stop jumping. In group settings he wouldn’t make eye contact and would sit in a corner, not participating. But now, we see a different Pablo. He has a smile on his face, and likes to give everyone hugs. He likes to teach classes on making jewelry and is working on selling some of his artwork. He flees when we are about to start our house church gathering… but ten minutes later comes back with some silly excuse and gradually sits closer to where the action is.
Over the last 15 years Viva Youth has made this young people a part of our family of faith—we actually call them our Cousins! We've learned many lessons and have developed effective and organic intervention models that increase interdependence and reduce their vulnerability.
In partnership with other faith-based communities, kingdom businesses and social organizations, we weave a thicker social fabric, closing the cracks. In the process, sonship with God is restored for hundreds of young, unadopted orphans. Their lives get a much needed jumpstart.
With everybody’s help, we are effectively preventing and combating sex trafficking, incarceration, job exploitation, armed conflict recruitment, early pregnancy and abortion, loneliness and despair.
Let’s weave some hope together!
