Project Description

1. State the purpose and objectives of this Ministry or Project:
   
   The objective of Yolìa is to intervene in the lives of children, specifically girls and young mothers, who live or are in severe danger of living on the streets of Mexico City. There is a street ministry where people work to advertise and draw children into the Day Center of Yolìa. The next step would be for them to become regulars at the Day Center where they can receive services such as: opportunity to bathe, do their laundry, eat, receive tutoring, pyschological counseling and therapy, learn skills in jewelery making and other crafts, hair styling skills, and tutoring help in school. From there some of the girls may ask to live in the residency of Yolìa, which is in a different location in Mexico City. There they can be promised food, clothes, a bed every night, education, and help in many areas, but the girls have to want to commit to being there. The residency is where the Salesian volunteers work as of right now.
   
   
2. Briefly describe the background and present situation of this ministry: Monica Ràbago with the help of a few friends started this organizaton about 11 years ago. The Day Center was formed only 4 years ago and the residency only 6 years ago. It is very much still growing in many areas especially with receiving volunteers. There is a lot of potential for growth in terms of what Yolìa is capable of becoming in the future. There are 15 girls that are living in the residency with the current Salesian volunteers, but the day center ministers to a lot more people and has more staff members. Right now volunteers live and work mostly with the girls in the residency acting as a mother figure, a teacher, a counselor, a cook, activities coordinator, among other things. Also, the volunteers do work a little in the day center in the street ministry and giving time, classes etc... in the day center as well.
   
   
3. Total number of people involved in this ministry/project now:
   
   Educators/ staff are 15 but there are about 6 more that help out at different times.
   
   This number includes:
   
   

   # of SLMs:	3	Other US or foreign lay missioners:	1
   Children:	40	Youth:	50
   Adults:	15	Administrative:	6
   Teachers:	13	Local laity:
   Local religious:	0

1. What other programs, activities or possible projects are involved in this ministry:
   
   There are many programs that are possible, this depends a lot on who volunteers and what they can offer, what talents, hobbies, and interests they have. Right now there is a lot of opportunity to teach classes; there are computer classes, English classes, arts and crafts, catechism, hair classes, health and excercise education. Obviously these classes depend on the knowledge or specific skills that an educator has. Outside of classes, there is a street ministry which involves publicizing to and interacting with children who live on the street in hopes that they will check out the day center and seek a better way of life. Also, there are opportunities to expand the classes given to people who live on the street near the residency (right now all of the street ministry takes place at the day center). Volunteers can also help by seeking out funds from their home town, or heading up projects like obtaining new computers, money for specific projects like buying books, or going on field trips, or receiving specific medical help. Basically, if you have an idea to help people in these situations, it may be possible to do so.
   
   
2. Give a brief description of the area in which the lay missioner would be working. Include information such as: rural or urban, income level of area, primary needs of the people in the area, etc.)
   
   Yolìa residency and day center are both located in the large Mexico City, a home to about 22 million people. There is a very large population of Mexico City residents who live on the street. The average income is low though I do not know what it is. It is hard for people to find good work, even with a college education. There are many venders all over the city that make their living off of what they are selling. In Mexico City you can clearly see the struggle between the third world problems and the striving to be first world improvements, with many things that are modern and new next to, for example, the struggling venders. You will find whatever you need in this grand city so have no fear of being isolated. As for their primary needs, the people that you will be mostly in contact with have very basic needs like money, food, showers, education, but also a caring person; the presence of Don Bosco.
   
   
3. Are there any special problems or conditions in the area or project which might restrict some applicants: political, health, personnel, etc. Please describe.
   
   Many people fear the water and even the food, especially the food that one might buy in open air markets or venders. You should have no problem finding clean water. Here at the house we disinfect the water ourselves and no one has gotten sick from it. Also, there is readily available bottled water if you preferred to buy that. As for the food, there are some foods to be more cautious of eating. If you buy things from open air markets stay away from foods that are really porous and you need to make sure you wash whatever you buy. Buying tacos off the street also might be risky, but many have done it and are fine. It is important to educate yourself about the possible health risks before you come, but really it is safe.
   
   

Job Description

1. List and describe the major duties to be performed in this ministry or job. Please also include an estimation on the number of hours per day/week you spend on each duty.
   
   We live with the girls here at the residency so the work is pretty much all day, every day. However, there are opportunities to take breaks throughout the day, though we often do not leave the house except for short walks etc... Also, we usually get one day off a week, which is usually on a weekend, that you can do with as you wish. Our "duties" really are caretakers and educators. We help facilitate the daily activities of the girls: homework, chores, special activities, cooking, washing, playing. Sometimes we accompany the girls to school, doctor appointments, or different meetings they may have. Also, depending on the volunteer, one may teach classes here at the residency and possibly at the day center as well, or find some niche they feel like they can specifically be of help. There is also the street ministry which each volunteer will have the opportunity to experience, but this is also fairly safe. It has been going on for a while and they know precautions to take, and have never encountered anything near life-threatening. One never goes alone. It is really a beautiful part of the ministry here at Yolìa.
   
   
2. What is the missioner's position with regard to other personnel in the ministry or project?
   
   

   Administering or supervising others:	You will only be supervising the girls, you have no staff or adults that are under your charge, unless you are teaching a class that is specifically aimed at the young adults or families related to the organization.
   Member of a team:	You are a member of a team of other volunteers and staff that are working for the children.
   Working alone:	In terms of support from others, you are not alone. There may be times, like when you could be teaching a class, or the other volunteers are gone, that you will have the girls by yourself, but this is not a regular happening.
   Under supervision of:	Monica Ràbago is the director and founder. Sagrario Mancilla is the coordinator of the residency and is the one that you, as a Salesian volunteer, will be in contact with the most. Yolanda Castro is the co-director, and mostly works in the administration of the organization, specifically with the funds. Gustavo Bertado is the coordinator of the day center but really is not responsible for the volunteers unless they are working at the day center.
   Other:	You, as a volunteer, are respoinsible for the girls, and your own behavior as an example to them and to the other members of your team. Our position as volunteers is still developing and there could be many changes from year to year, so be flexible.

Necessary Qualifications

1. Please indicate below the qualifications or skills considered necessary for performing well in this ministry - i.e. language, special skills, technical training, physical strength, etc.
   
   You are living in a Spanish-speaking culture, therefore it is very helpful to know some Spanish before you come down, though this is not "necessary", you will have to speak Spanish. None of the directors/coordinators speak English, though some know some broken English. None of the girls know English though many of them study it in school.
   
   
2. What particular areas of academic preparation or educational certification would be helpful for this work:
   
   It terms of educational certification nothing is absolutely necessary, but you will be helping to educate these girls, tutoring them and helping them with their homework so a well-rounded education is very helpful.
   Know that anyone who is going to live and work with girls who have some very difficult backgrounds requires a person with stamina and understanding.
   Also know that whatever skills, knowledge, or talents that you do have will be utilized and if you do not feel that you have any of these things you are most likely not aware of your talents and will find ways to be of great help to the girls, even if it is simply being a good example to them, this is the most important part of our ministry anyway.
   
   
3. Describe the experience that would be helpful for this position:
   
   It would be helpful to have worked with children, youth in the past so you know some of the things to expect, especially girls between the ages of 10 and 19. It would also be helpful to have traveled or lived away from home for a while, so you know that at times it will be difficult to be far from home. Knowledge of Mexican culture would be helpful, and of course any Spanish that you know will be a great help when adjusting to the culture.
   
   
4. Briefly describe the personal and professional qualities most needed in this ministry:
   
   Most important, a good attitude, an open mind and heart will keep you going when the going gets tough. Try not to have expectations and you will not be disappointed, or have the expectation that it is going to be really really difficult and everything will seem a breeze.
   Make sure that you are mentally, physically, and spiritually prepared to have a great experience that has many challenges, but many more blessings.