Communities United to Empower Youth

Haunting images of families grieving over their slain children in violent incidents are graphically depicted daily on the TV news. In Philadelphia, where Esperanza has its headquarters, violence among youth has reached critical proportions.

To stem the tide of escalating violence and to help close down channels that deliver new children into gangs, Esperanza initiated Communities United to Empower Youth (CUEY), a program that serves over 30 percent of all Latino youth in Philadelphia. The program’s priorities are the prevention of gang activity, reducing youth violence, child abuse, and neglect.

This service aims to create a unified approach to intervene and offer alternatives to high-risk youth before they are lured into the gang lifestyle. Central to its initiatives is a concentrated effort to stem youth violence in the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

To achieve its goals, CUEY relies on a coalition of faith- and community-based organizations who combine their resources to reach young Latinos, primarily those between 12 and 21 years of age. Through training sessions and workshops, organizations deliver technological, informational, and support services that combat the surge of youth violence in hopes of redirecting children and young adults toward productive activities.

Since launched in 2006 by Esperanza and the Eastern North Philadelphia Youth Services Coalition, CUEY has extended its partnerships to include Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center, Centro Nueva Creación, Centro Pedro Claver, Norris Square Civic Association, The Lighthouse, Salvation Army Tabernacle Corps, and Taller Puertorriqueño.

As a first step, we believe it provides a strong foundation for progress in eradicating the epidemic of youth violence.

Organizations partnering with Esperanza through the CUEY program are:
• Centro Nueva Creación
• Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center
• Eastern North Philadelphia Youth Services Coalition
• Centro Pedro Claver
• Norris Square Civic Association
• The Lighthouse, Inc.
• Taller Puertorriqueño
• Salvation Army Tabernacle Corps