Our Mobilize & Empower (M&E) project mobilizes communities to protect children in prison and empowers youth and families directly impacted by the justice system to drive reform.
Through M&E, we:
- Provide transportation for families in extreme poverty to visit their children and attend court hearings.
- Organize and train parents of children in detention to advocate for their rights.
- Offer workshops and support groups for teens and parents through local volunteers.
- Create spaces for formerly incarcerated youth to share their experiences and demand systemic change.
Families Broken by Incarceration
We are preparing to launch Mobilize & Empower in Honduras through our Family Reunification initiative.
Our team visited four detention centers in San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, and Francisco Morazán, interviewing over 60 youth and contacting their families to understand how incarceration has made maintaining family ties nearly impossible.
Parents broke down in tears as they shared the painful challenges of visiting their children in prison.
“I spend so much,” one mother said, “I can’t afford food the days I go to visit my son in detention.”
In the coming weeks, we’ll begin coordinating transportation for family reunifications, the first step in rebuilding hope and connection for these families.
Finally, we participated in the “Esencia Creativa Expo Fair,” organized by the Judiciary and INAMI, where youth in detention showcased handmade products, proof that reintegration is possible when society offers second chances.
Bringing Families Together
Our Mobilize & Empower program continues to advance in Costa Rica, with a strong focus on training parents and families to understand their rights and navigate the justice system. On November 6, we will host the first Family Encounter at the Zurquí Juvenile Detention Center, creating a safe space for information sharing, listening, and validating family rights.
With the support of social workers, JJAI will cover transportation costs for families living in extreme poverty, ensuring that every parent has the opportunity to visit with their children and rebuild family bonds.
Art as a Reflection of Dignity
We proudly concluded the second edition of “Reflections of Dignity” at the Villalba Detention Center, in collaboration with the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago.
Over the course of eleven weeks, nine young participants explored painting, design, and visual storytelling, expressing how they see themselves and how they want the world to see them: with dignity, strength, and hope.
“My greatest motivation is my son; he gives me a sense of freedom. I want to change my life until I can truly transform it.”
– Program participant, Villalba
This initiative began in Mexico City in 2024 and has since traveled to Madrid, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, and Chicago, proving that art can be a bridge toward healing, connection, and social transformation.
Strengthening Pathways for Reintegration
In Mexico, JJAI continues to build partnerships with organizations dedicated to restoring and reintegrating youth. This month, we supported the Semilla T.E.E.N.S. project in Ciudad Juárez, which helps boys ages 12–17 who have struggled with substance use or conflicts with the law.
Their holistic approach includes:
- Psychological therapy and family wellness sessions.
- Recreational and awareness-raising activities.
- Academic catch-up programs (primary through high school).
- Virtual family counseling and reconnection workshops.
These efforts strengthen the regional network of psychosocial support and reintegration that JJAI promotes across Latin America.
Reflections of Dignity – Art Exhibits and Silent Auction
In October, we hosted our Reflections of Dignity art exhibits in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C.
Our event in Washington, D.C. was an inspiring success!
Together, we raised over $6,000, which was matched by our co-hosts and Board of Directors, doubling the impact.
These funds will directly support Mobilize & Empower initiatives in Honduras, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico, helping families reconnect, empowering youth, and strengthening advocacy efforts across the region.
The exhibits brought visibility and humanity to children in prison, raised public awareness about the realities of juvenile justice, and inspired meaningful conversations about alternatives to incarceration.
We also thank everyone who participated in the online silent auction; the funds raised are vital to sustaining our work.
Thank You for Making It Possible
Every family visit, every youth voice, every act of empowerment begins with your support.
Join us in mobilizing and empowering communities to create lasting change:
