YouthCan! in Mexico: A network of opportunities
Lizeth is a young student pursuing a degree in digital business at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional, one of Mexico's leading academic institutions. At 22 years old, she already has two businesses—one selling stationery and the other selling phone cases. Her enthusiasm for entrepreneurship was inspired by her family, who also own a stationery shop.
Lizeth first learned about SOS Children’s Villages Mexico through her mother, who participated in the SOS Family Strengthening Program in Huehuetoca. In 2020, she became more directly involved when she received psychological support and joined various activities with other youth in the program. Lizeth was then asked to take an active role in the SOS Children’s Villages National Youth Committee, engaging in activities focused on youth empowerment.
"From the beginning, I felt welcomed. When I was asked to join the youth committee, I was happy because SOS Children’s Villages values the voices of young people," says Lizeth, and opportunities like this are rare in her community.
Lizeth also benefitted from participating in YouthCan!, a global program focused on youth employability and entrepreneurship, designed to help young people who have lost parental care or are at risk of losing it, transition successfully from school to decent work and independent living. The program tailors its approach to the individual needs of young people and the specific conditions of their local environments.
The YouthCan! program in Mexico has empowered young people through activities that promote personal and professional development. Lizeth acknowledges that the training and support she received and the skills she developed in leadership, communication, sales and social interaction opened doors to entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
This year, Lizeth joined the Capitalizing My Dreams project, a YouthCan! initiative, developing a business idea to sell scented candles for different occasions. While formalizing her businesses is her biggest challenge, she is determined to succeed. She aims to create jobs in her community, especially for marginalized groups such as older adults or members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, expand her businesses nationwide by making her products available online, and ultimately achieve personal, financial, and family stability to fulfill her dream of travelling the world.
Since joining the YouthCan! program, Lizeth has experienced growth in every sense. In addition to the personal and professional skills she gained, the boost in self-awareness and confidence encourages her to continue evolving as a student and an entrepreneur.
"SOS Children’s Villages is an organization that genuinely cares about supporting young people. They offer more than just financial assistance; they create a safe space for youth to express themselves, view life positively and fight for a better future while developing a support network," she concluded.