Empowerment Programs
Our Solution
Life skills, academic support, healthy decision-making, job training and cultural enrichment are proven to help youth overcome the complex difficulties of adolescence, such as early pregnancy, criminal activity, dropping out and general poor decision-making. The DREAM Project has developed key programs to work with groups of youth and adolescent males and females using sports, games and peer-to-peer youth leadership to encourage healthy decision-making.
Deportes para la Vida
In 2015, only 46% of Dominicans between the ages of 15 and 24 had correct knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Deportes para la Vida (DPV) was first implemented in Batey Libertad, Valverde to promote healthy decision-making pertaining to reproductive rights and leadership skills. Based on the Grassroot Soccer methodology, and in collaboration with Peace Corps Dominican Republic, DPV grew into a broader framework that now implements programming in more than 50 communities across the island. The program consists of a 12-hour training series in which youth learn about the risks of sex, myths surrounding sexually transmitted infections (STI) and their transmission and gender equity. HIV tests are also provided for DPV leaders, DREAM youth and community members.
Única & Luchadores por el Cambio
Young women and men are empowered to make well-informed decisions for themselves while developing their communication and leadership skills. Deportes para la Vida has been expanded, spawning Única for empowering young women and Luchadores por el Cambio for young men that tailor programs using sports, games and peer-to-peer youth leadership.
Youth Networks
Working throughout Puerto Plata, the Alerta Joven youth network promotes positive youth development and citizenship in at-risk communities. Youth leaders are empowered to share knowledge of their rights and civic duties, which they replicate in workshops to groups of at-risk youth. By building responsible and productive young adults, we can develop safer communities. The peer-to-peer model provides inspiration to their fellow youth, and the knowledge and civic responsibility lives forever.
