Oaxaca Youth Empowerment, Inc.

I am a teacher and on a visit to Oaxaca ten years ago I wanted to explore what educational resources existed for families. I toured the now, Oaxaca Youth Empowerment, Inc. and was immediately taken by the energy, scope and imagination of the staff and students. I knew that I wanted to sponsor a child, because of the wrap around services offered the children and the families. We are now starting our second sponsorship of a student—I urge everyone to sponsor, donate or support the center as a fundraiser! This organization does grassroots work that has changed the trajectory of each child they serve.

Oaxaca Youth Empowerment, Inc., then known as Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots, first came to my attention in 2007, when I found a brochure in the hotel where I was staying in Oaxaca. Shortly after that I began volunteering at the Centro de Esperanza on Calle Crespo and continued doing that for several years. The time that I spent visiting and crafting with the children was always a joy for me. I now sponsor two students through OYE and I am confident that they are getting the best support and guidance available in Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico.
As a former volunteer coordinator of a US federal program, I am aware that great effort must go into developing and delivering programs that address human needs. The staff at OYE are dedicated, caring individuals and work diligently to implement services for the children and their families. My hope is that the two centers that they operate will continue to flourish and that many more individuals will join me in supporting their mission.

I've visited the program in Oaxaca and find it to be both wonderful for the children, and efficiently run. I have been living in Oaxaca for a couple of years. I visited in 2002 and was struck by the number of begging street children. It was part of what motivated me to come back. Now I see very few children begging. There are too many working selling trinkets, but it is better than begging. I think that Oaxaca Street Children has had a real impact.

While in Oaxaca I met a lady whose children could go to school thanks to this centre. She told me how her husband got ill and she could have never afforded to pay for book an tuition for her girls without the Oaxaca street children. I visited the centre 4 times and was impressed about their work.

My sister and I sponsored an 8 year old boy 14 years ago. We were able to visit him and his family every year that we came on vacation to Oaxaca. He has grown into a really nice young man who manages 3 businesses and continues to help his family. Using Google Translate, we are finally able to have meaningful conversations and it is so rewarding to get a deeper sense of his personality and values. We cherish memories of him as a little boy at the zoo, an arcade, the movies, Hierve del Agua, our hotel pool. This relationship remains so dear. Thanks to Esperanza Infantil for all they do!

Thank you for doing the great work you do for the children of Oaxaca!

This centre provides the perfect blend of what is needed to assist Oaxacan children to discover who they are, where they want their life journey to lead them and the tools to get there; supportive leaders and volunteers, nutritious meals, school supplies, tutors, activities and fun. Volunteers and visitors are warmly welcomed to see the program in action, changing children's lives, one child at a time. My family sponsors a student and have had the pleasure to meet him and his family. Last week we received a Christmas note with a hand written letter from our 'child', along with his school report. This organization is the answer to those who want to give of themselves, their time or their monetary donations.

Great organization for the street kids of Oaxaca. Every time I visit, I see young people learning in the computer lab and doing Spanish-English interchange with short term or long term volunteer adults. I've volunteered here in the past when I was just a visitor to Oaxaca and I now I've been in to volunteer as a Oaxaca resident. Visitors can just pop in for the day and spend time on whatever is needed as help on that day.

With my yearly visits to Oaxaca I am reminded just how important the work of Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots is. In January we visited a family served by the center and the conditions of their current life in poverty reminded me why helping children who seek an education is so important. The center continues to do good work and I look forward to my visit next year. The center continues to fill a significant need in Oaxaca City and the surrounding area and is serving the children who need it most.

I have worked with OSCGR for over a decade. It is rewarding to watch the institution grow, yet remain true to its mission of giving access to education to the marginalized youth of Oaxaca. I am excited about its future and proud to be a member!

Oaxaca Grassroots makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of disadvantaged students. The volunteers, workers, and contributors to the organization help them towards their goal of fulfilling their dream of completing an education through the university level. Without that support many would lack the opportunity to have a professional career. The valuable time, resources, and contributors to the organization make an incredible difference in the lives of the children and the future for them and their families. Among the best rewards for making even the slightest offer of assistance is to see the children's appreciation, their eagerness to learn, and their accomplishments. It has been a pleasure to work with the children and sponsor a child. It has encouraged me to return many times to the city.

I first volunteered with this organization in 1997, back when fewer than 100 children were involved and there was not yet a physical center to care, feed and nurture the many children who urgently need support to attend school and thrive. The organization's growth over the past 20 years has been remarkable, and I'm proud to continue my support. Its leaders are dedicated to the communities it serves, and work tirelessly to give participants every opportunity possible. I will continue to support Oaxaca Street Children and urge others to do the same.

This is a great little organization...enables street kids in Oaxaca to go to school and cares about their futures. School is something taken for granted by most--but not within reach of many. Peter and I have sponsored a child for maybe ten years now...such a rewarding and affordable way to make a difference! We visited this happy place a while ago and found the atmosphere to be full of joy and promise. Check them out and see for yourself. Do it!
--Kathy in Vermont

I have been a sponsor of this wonderful organization since 2000. I also make frequent trips to the city of Oaxaca and have seen first hand the excellent and important work done to make education available to Oaxaca's poorest children. The huge number of yearly volunteers is one very important aspect to keeping the staffing costs at a minimum. The majority of the funds raised by Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots goes to enrich the lives of our 600+ students, from primary school through university studies for those who wish to continue beyond high school. I am constantly heartened by the stories of young lives who have been definitely changed for the better!

I first went to Oaxaca City more than 20 years ago. At that time street kids were everywhere downtown begging. These children often had no shoes, were malnourished, sometimes sick, and had no opportunity. The only source of money for their families was to beg. Since
that time, the situation has changed for the better with the help of Oaxaca Streetchildren
Grassroots. Children that would be out begging are now in school and have a chance for a bright future and a variety of opportunities afforded to them through education. Visit or volunteer at the center in Oaxaca and see for yourself.

I recently visited Oaxaca for the purpose of seeing this center in action. I was so impressed. The people who run the center are very warm and welcoming, and they genuinely care about the future of the children in the program. It's obvious that the children love being there as the place is filled with excitement and laughter. I am looking so forward to returning in future years, and I would recommend this experience for anyone interested in improving the life of a child.

This is a wonderful organization that I have chosen to donate to and volunteer with for over five years. I have been able to witness first-hand the positive impact that this program has on the lives of so many children and families. Highly recommended!

I have been visiting Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots for 24 years now. I have watched the program grow, and the children grow to young adults and adults. I am always impressed by the improvements in the program, and in the accomplishments of the children. My family and I have sponsored children through their entire school careers, and I can't think of a better way to invest in the future of the world. Of late we have been supporting the general fund so that program can continue its work with so many children from so many families.

Oaxaca street children grassroots is a non-profit organization that I know I can trust to do good with donated. I loved going to Oaxaca to meet my sponsored child and I plan on visiting the center again very soon!

On a recent trip to the Center in Oaxaca I viewed first-hand the detailed recording of every dollar and peso coming into the site. Add to that, in-depth records, pages in length of every financial transaction for each child, including but not limited to, shoes, books, backpacks, uniforms. This organization tracks and squeezes life from every penny donated. You have my promise to keep up this level of transparency and commitment.

Kathy Smith-Wenning

I have been a sponsor through Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots for 15 years, and now also serve as a member of the board of directors. During my frequent trips to Oaxaca, I have been amazed and touched by the positive changes this organization has made in the lives of so many children and young adults from Oaxaca. The staff in Oaxaca, our sponsors, and our many volunteers make it possible for the impoverished youth in our program to attend school, get extra help as needed, attend interesting and valuable workshops, and gain the confidence they need to pursue a career. Lives are definitely enriched and changed by this nonprofit, and I value my association with
Oaxaca Street Children Grassroots.

I have been involved with this organization as a sponsor and volunteer for about 10 years, and as a board member for 3 years. Every time I visit the center in Oaxaca and spend time with the children and their families, I am overwhelmed all over again by the things they accomplish with such a small amount of help.