Stronger families, brighter futures: Supporting vulnerable women and children in the Dominican Republic
In 2024, SOS Children’s Villages implemented the Familias Unidas program in Los Mina, Dominican Republic, to support female-headed households and children facing extreme poverty. This locally led initiative focused on building social and economic resilience.
Through workshops on children’s rights, economic empowerment, and violence prevention, 229 participants gained essential skills and resources to create safer, more stable futures, empowering caregivers and fostering stronger, self-sufficient communities.
The following activities were completed in 2024.
Building safer families and communities through awareness raising
Two community workshops led by SOS Children’s Villages addressed the impact of intra-family violence in Los Mina.
The “Violence and Its Implications” workshop provided families with tools for recognizing and preventing different forms of violence within their family and the broader community. The forms of abuse discussed included: physical violence, neglect, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and economic exploitation.
The “Promoting Conscious Affectivity” workshop taught participants how to build relationships based on empathy, communication, and mutual recognition. The workshop helped parents, primarily mothers and their children, develop strategies for creating safer and more respectful family environments.
Empowering local leaders to advocate for women’s and children’s rights
Eight community leaders from Los Mina, including six women, participated in specialized training on children’s rights and protection, with a strong focus on the challenges faced by women and girls. They gained a deeper understanding of national child protection systems and learned how to advocate for safer environments for women and young people. The training also provided them with the skills to identify and report concerns related to child protection and violence to the appropriate authorities.
Inspired by their learnings, these leaders took action by organizing awareness-raising sessions for families in their community. They shared their knowledge, reinforced the importance of upholding the rights of women and children, and championed a violence-free, gender-equal community.
Supporting families in Los Mina through community health initiatives
In August 2024, the team from Los Mina organized a Medical-Pediatric Day in collaboration with local health clinics and young volunteer professionals. This initiative provided essential health services to vulnerable families, including pediatric evaluations, nutritional assessments, and medication donations. Mothers participated in workshops on child nutrition and preventive health, while babies received weight and size measurements.
The event successfully reached 150 children and 60 mothers, strengthening community healthcare efforts.
Building financial independence for women entrepreneurs
Training on entrepreneurship, financial planning, and access to microcredit benefitted 28 women.
Led by ASPIRE, a partner NGO focused on employability and income generation, the training covered essential topics such as business planning, what makes a good entrepreneur, financial management, and the advantages of microloans. This initiative aimed to provide women with the knowledge and confidence to launch and sustain their small businesses.
Participants reported increased self-confidence, greater savings, enhanced financial independence, and expanded business opportunities. They also valued the creation of a supportive space where women could collaborate, exchange ideas for income generation, and share challenges openly.
Empowering families, thanks to your support
The Familias Unidas program continues to make a lasting impact in Los Mina by empowering women and strengthening families. Through education, advocacy, and economic opportunities, the program is helping to build safer, more resilient communities where children can thrive. These achievements would not be possible without the generous support of our donors and partners, whose commitment ensures that vulnerable families have the resources they need to build brighter futures.