Last month, Building Dignity teamed up with the Global Studies Student Association from the University of Minnesota and People’s Congregational Church of Bayport, Minnesota to organize our first Youth Leadership Retreat for the participants of Voices of Youth. Our goals: to encourage healthy friendships, strengthen teamwork, and foster the values of service and leadership. We are pleased to share the highlights with you! The Team: Building Dignity is grateful for the help of the Global Studies Student Association (GSSA), who joined us in Lima for 3 weeks to organize the retreat. We also extend our thanks Thalía Giraldo, a student leader from Colby College whose work with these young leaders was supported by the Walker Grant. In total, a team of 11 dedicated volunteers helped organize this two-day retreat for 24 youth. The Retreat: On June 1, this intrepid group left
Lima for a retreat center in the small town of Chosica. During the
course of the weekend, group activities, discussions and quiet
reflection guided participants through an exploration of friendship,
teamwork, service and leadership:
![]() The Outcomes: Since returning to Lima, momentum continues to run high. 20 to 25 young people join us twice a week for Voices of Youth meetings. Together, the group cultivates their leadership skills through community service projects:
The work of these young leaders has caught the attention of other
communities. Starting in August, Building Dignity will collaborate with
partner organization “Escuela Metropolitana” to organize Voices of Youth in the nearby community of Oasis. This important step forward in our programming would not have been
possible without the support of the People’s Congregational Church
Blessing Fund, GSSA, and our volunteers and supporters. ¡Muchísimas
Gracias! |
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