Ednica (Education with Street Children)
Ednica emerged when workers in church and government run shelters realized the degree to which those institutions were failing the children they wished to help. Instead, these workers went into the street to educate kids where they most needed it; however, though they constructed both trust and a ludic space, they realized that the kids still had nowhere to go. As a response, Ednica now attempts to strengthen community groups and civil society so that children feel welcomed to a place off the street. They attempt to organize all facets of the social fabric to help children, and have found this model very successful, particularly as a technique to prevent youth homelessness.
Ednica continues to run its own programs for street youth, but its most important work happens in partnership with local organizations. Ednica trains and prepares these organizations to work with street kids. In their two experiences so far, local parishes have been the focal organizations; though this has been difficult in some ways, the church is often the most vibrant aspect of civil society in marginal neighborhoods, and already enjoys a profound social insertion. After several years of work with the local organization, Edica withdraws, providing only occasional advice.
After work with hard core street kids in Observatorio (west end of Mexico City), Ednica partnered with San Pedro Apostol in Indios Verdes (north side) to work with street kids and street vendors. Because of the strength of that congregation, the process has developed quite quickly. They have found it difficult to combat the "asistencialista" ("help-ist") attitude in the church, but have made great strides in constructing civil society, emphasizing human rights, popular participation, and the responsibility of everyone to be part of the solution. For instance, they teach shopowners and others who give money and food to kids how best to help them: to demand sobriety, to show care, to integrate them into the culture. To prevent children from leaving for the street, they "teach working families how to be families as they work," which is to say, how to show care, affection, and attention for their children even though they are working on the street.
Like El Caracol, Ednica has discovered that many children on the street have personal and financial resources; however, resources have just allowed them to buy more expensive drugs. Thus, instead of food, clothing, etc, Ednica tries to find a space into which children can reintegrate themselves in the broader community. They also take advantage of the organic structures street kids have built for themselves as a way off the street; for instance, more mature individuals in Indios Verdes have formed a squat-"halfway house" under a bridge, and Ednica encourages their development.
Ednica also strives to educate the broader community about how to help street kids. They run focus groups of"aware yuppies" and make a point to use their contacts in the press to draw attention to street children and how best to help them. They publish at least one book a year (very good books) and use the presentation of that book as a press event (Bishop Samuel Ruiz spoke on 10.12.00). Ednica participates actively in public policy debates, human rights issues, legislation, etc. They are trying to formulate a protocol for shelters and shelter workers, because the government enforces no codes on shelters, and many abuse this.
Ednica also runs a shelter. It is directed by two "tios" but largely run by kids, and has limited rules (no drugs, 8 PM curfew (flexible), all do chores.). The shelter tries to create a family environment and to integrate with the rest of the community. Cats and dogs are always present, and seem to have better results than any therapist.
In addition to funding from the international community, Ednica tries to mobilize help from the local business community, showing how it is in businessmen's own best interest. They also recruit work teams from businesses as volunteers, which builds company morale and helps Ednica.
EDNICA
Calle Totonacas Manzana 23 Lote 15
Col. Ajusco Coyoacán, Delegación
Coyoacán, CP. 04300, México DF
Tel. 56 18 49 00
Lic. Teresa Gómez Velarde, Directora General, ednica@laneta.apc.org
