Our programs that seek to mobilize Atlanta-based communities to end violence through youth empowerment and leadership seminars as well as training for other service providers.
Líderes Comunitarias Program
In 2011, Caminar Latino lanched the Líderes Comunitarias (Community Leaders) program, modeled after Casa de Esperanza’s Líderes program in the Twin Cities, MN. The program draws on women’s natural strengths and creates an opportunity for Latina survivors of domestic violence to be actively involved in creating change in their community.
Survivors engaged in the Líderes Program can expect to receive leadership training and content knowledge about domestic violence. Each cohort of Líderes commits to giving presentation sin the community to raise awareness about domestic violence and related topics.
The Líderes program is a great opportunity to:
- Network with other leaders in the community
- Develop leadership skills
- Learn about domestic violence and related topics
- Give presentations in the community and thus contribute to community transformation
- Mentor others
Do you want to join our cohort of líderes? Email us at info@caminarlatino.org
Program History
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 participatory action research about domestic violence and their experiences. Since 2006, the youth have conducted 5 different studies about issues of relevance and interest to them including: how they dealt with the violence in their home as well as how the community (ie. law enforcement, Child Protection Services) responded to domestic violence.
What can I expect from the program? ¿Qué puedo esperar del programa?
This is a bilingual program. Youth will be exposed to different opportunities to engage the world around them. Youth will be introduced to soft skills and provided with opportunities to practice and develop them.
How long does it last? ¿Cuánto dura el programa?
Initial commitment to 5 weekly training meetings, then a minimum one-year commitment (biweekly meetings and events)
What is the impact of the program? ¿Cuál es el impacto del programa?
Youth report a number of benefits, including:
- Development of leadership skills
- An increase in Emotional Intelligence
- A gained appreciation of culture
- An openness to new experiences
- An increase in their social network
Since 2006, the youth’s work has garnered widespread acclaim among scientific, legal, justice, and social service professionals across the U.S. and the youth have presented at 11 different trainings including:
- National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judge Kids’ Conference, Albuquerque, NM
- Georgia Commission on Family Violence Statewide Annual Conference and,
- The New York State Regional Forums, New York, NY
- Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Vancouver, WA
MAM (Mujeres Apoyando Mujeres) Monthly Meeting
In 2000, Caminar Latino began MAM to address the need for increased awareness and access to community resources as well as create a better coordinated community response. The MAM meeting is a monthly networking event for social service providers working with the Latino community and/or domestic violence. The monthly meeting provides the opportunity for social service providers to learn more about each other’s agencies, share available services and materials, and increase victims’ access to these community resources. In addition, the networking meeting also provides opportunities to foster community partnerships between agencies, enabling them to be more effective and strategic in addressing the complex problem of domestic violence while also making best use of limited resources. While the monthly meeting was originally geared towards women working in the domestic violence arena, the monthly event has evolved into a meeting open to anybody working with Latinos and/or domestic violence.