URBANIZATION,
POVERTY, AND CHILDREN IN LATIN AMERICA
Costa Rica: Case Study 1999
Laura Rasmussen
CASE STUDY
COUNTRY: Costa Rica
PROGRAM: YMCA: An Integrated Perspective on Street Children
LOCATION: San Jose — Los Cuadros community
SPONSORSHIP OF PROGRAM:
YMCA of Costa Rica
HISTORY OF PROGRAM:
The program is modeled after the Dominican Republican
project, "Children on the Move," also YMCA.
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF CHILDREN SERVED:
50
CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN SERVED:
Ages 6-16, live in one of 10 poorest communities
in country, working children or those who are at high risk to do so.
HOW CHILDREN ARE RECRUITED/SELECTED:
Arrive of own will, after interaction with and coaxing
by street educators.
PROGRAM SERVICES:
- Formal and informal education
- Recreation
- Promote self-esteem
- Training in peaceful conflict resolution
- Treatment for drug addiction
- Medical treatment and psychological evaluations
FINANCIAL BASIS OF PROGRAM:
Donations, minimally government-sponsored, few employees
(mainly volunteers).
PHILOSOPHY OR APPROACH:
Targets PREVENTION through social, educational,
cultural, work and psychological approaches.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Located near community development center in Costa
Rica (collaborative efforts), 22 youth volunteers.
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Case Studies
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