Activities

"La Voz de Caminar Latino"-The Voice of Caminar Latino

"I just want to say it was amazing, I learned so much, and became re-inspired for the work that I do. The Latino Youth research project was really interesting, and could be the catalyst for a new understanding of how much children are affected in DV situations and perhaps for similar research among other ethnic groups or youth at large."
-Conference Attendee

In 2006, in partnership with the Department of Psychology at Georgia State University, members of the adolescent group at Caminar Latino began to conduct their own research about domestic violence and their experiences. Shortly after the work began, the youth created their own research group entitled "La Voz de Caminar Latino" meaning the voice of Caminar Latino. Since 2006, the youth have conducted 4 different studies about issues of relevance and interest to them.

These studies have explored:

• Their strategies for staying safe when there were violent incidents in their home 
•  Youth's experiences of law enforcement and child protective services responding to 911 calls related to domestic violence
• Examination of Latino Gangs in Georgia from the perspective of Latino youth and parents (in progress)
• An examination of childhood experiences of family violence with adult Caminar Latino participants (in progress)

Within the past four years, the youth's work has garnered widespread acclaim among scientific, legal, justice, and social service professionals across the U.S. This team of young scholars has been called upon to present their findings at 9 different trainings for:

• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judge Kids' Conference, Albuquerque, NM
• Family Violence Prevention Fund National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence, San Francisco, CA
• Department of Health and Human Services Coalition Directors National Conference, Atlanta, GA
• Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV) Statewide Annual Conference, Savannah, GA (2007)
• Alianza (National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of DV) National Conference, Atlanta, GA
• Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Annual Conference, Orlando, FL
• Barbara Hart's National Audio Conference Series: DV from a Youth Perspective 
• GCFV Statewide Annual Conference, Savannah, GA (2008)
  New York State Regional Forums, New York, NY

Project Teddy Bear
In 2006, Caminar Latino created Project Teddy Bear, which gives each new youth (up to 12 years of age) entering the organization's programs a new teddy bear.

Why a Teddy Bear?
Project Teddy Bear is meant to provide these child victims affected by violence something tangible, so they remember their new experiences and friends at Caminar Latino while they are participating in the program and when they are no longer with the group.