San Man CyberCafe

Vital Stats

Nicole P

San Manuel, AZ

people helped115
People Doing It 46

The Problem

Youth turning to alcohol and drugs to deal with the stress, pressures and lonliness of adolescence. Our coalition wants to help kids stop drinking, drugging and having babies. We want to teach and empower teens to find healthy, safe solutions to their problems and help them build resilency to drug use. We live in rural desert communities where there are no recreational opportunities for kids who are not sports jocks. There are no theaters, no video arcades, no teen center or fitness center. Without alternatives for our youth to participate in; they are at increased risk for using alcohol and drugs. Without a positive environment where they might be able to be mentored through role modeling and formal mentoring programs, they are most likely to imitate the adults in these remote communities who use bonfires and drinking in the desert as their 'recreation'

Plan of Action

I have been volunteering for Adelante Juntos Coalition for 1 1/2 years and I have seen the great changes and effect that AJC programs have had on them. They begin to help in community projects. They make new friends and begin to feel good about themselves. They LOOK happier. Most of them improve their school attendance and grades. They don't get tease anymore. Thats why it is important for the CyberCafe to grow and be able to accomodate more kids. I want to help the AJC staff find resources to expand the cybercafe. More kids want to come but because the space is so small only 12-15 kids can be in the cafe at one time. Sometimes the recreational & social activities bother the kids who are doing homework or are a distraction to the kids trying to get tutoring. A larger space with the ability to close doors would help solve the problem and more space could accomodate more kids. When kids can do well in school they feel good about themselves which in turn leads to good or better and healthier decision making.

Education Inequalities

Physical and Mental Health

Bullying and Violence