activities · 23
what they do
direct service · 23
- Academic and Wellness Support Habilitation & Life Skills TrainingProvides academic tutoring for children behind in school, offers English classes, and delivers emotional and mental health support to students through an on-site psychologist.
- Adelante Estudiante Scholarship ProgramProvides educational support to students in Mexico through a sponsorship-based scholarship program, including academic guidance, tuition payment, school supply vouchers, and regular progress reporting to sponsors. The program currently supports over 100 enrolled students and more than 50 college/university students, with safeguards such as probation for GPAs below 8/10 and reassignment of funds if sponsors are lost.
- Adelante Estudiante Scholarship ProgramProvides educational scholarships to students in Mexico by pairing them with sponsors, covering school supplies and tuition through vouchers and direct payments. The program includes academic monitoring, with sponsors receiving grades and annual financial reports, and offers support to students who fall below a GPA of 8 through probation and counseling interventions.
- Community Center ProgramsRuns a community center in San Carlos, opened in August 2024 and established as a permanent site since fall 2018, offering safe spaces for learning, sports, and cultural activities. Serves approximately 100 children and youth weekly through structured after-school programming, including the Explorers Club, academic tutoring, English classes, and mental health support.
- Community Center ProgramsOperates a Community Center in San Carlos, serving approximately 100 children and youth weekly by providing safe spaces for learning, sports, cultural activities, and after-school programs like the "Explorers Club" which includes nutritious meals and educational projects.
- Community Center ProgramsOperates a community center in San Carlos, opened in August 2024, serving approximately 100 children and youth weekly with safe spaces for learning, sports, and cultural activities. The center hosts after-school programs like the Explorers Club, academic tutoring, English classes, and mental health support.
- Explorers Club After-School ProgramProvides twice-weekly after-school activities for children, including nutritious meals, themed educational projects, academic tutoring, and English instruction, hosted at the San Carlos Community Center.
- Folkloric Dance ProgramOperates a folkloric dance program with approximately 35 members, providing cultural and artistic engagement for youth in the community.
- Folkloric Dance ProgramOperates a folkloric dance program with approximately 35 members, providing cultural arts education and performance opportunities as part of the organization’s youth development offerings.
- Folkloric Dance ProgramOperates a folkloric dance program with approximately 35 members, offering cultural activities to the community.
- Mental Health and Emotional Support Services Youth Mental Health Education & Peer SupportOffers emotional and mental health support to students through an on-site psychologist and integrates well-being into workshops and training programs focused on self-esteem and violence prevention.
- Music ProgramRuns the Los Chicos de San Carlos Music Program, founded in 2019, which inspires and teaches approximately 30 children and youth instruments such as Steel Pans, Percussion, Strings, and Brass through individual and group instruction. The student band performs at local events and community celebrations.
- Student Sponsorship and Educational SupportOperates the Adelante Estudiante Scholarship Program, sponsoring over 100 students from elementary to university levels across Mexico, providing academic guidance, resources, and ensuring access to education through direct payment of tuition and school supplies. The program also supports students who have lost sponsors and monitors academic progress.
- Thrift Store Operations Community-Supported Thrift StoreOperates a thrift store open on Thursdays and Saturdays in San Carlos, funded by community donations, which raises money for educational and community programs while providing affordable goods to local families. Proceeds also cover operating costs and support students who have lost sponsors.
- Thrift Store Operations Community-Supported Thrift StoreOperates a thrift store, open Thursdays and Saturdays, which sells affordable items to local families and raises funds through community donations to cover operating expenses and support educational and community programs.
- Thrift Store Operations Community-Supported Thrift StoreOperates a thrift store open on Thursdays and Saturdays that sells donated items affordably to local families while raising funds for educational and community programs. Proceeds support operating expenses and provide emergency funding for students who lose sponsors.
- Women's Empowerment WorkshopsOffers workshops, talks, and training opportunities for women focused on self-esteem, emotional well-being, and violence prevention.
- Workshops and Training for WomenOffers workshops, talks, and training opportunities focused on self-esteem, emotional well-being, and violence prevention for women in the community.
- Youth Music Program (Los Chicos de San Carlos)Offers music education to approximately 30 children through instruction in Steel Pans, Percussion, Strings, and Brass, with classes held Monday through Friday. The program includes a student band that rehearses regularly and performs at local and regional events, such as in Hermosillo in 2024.
- Youth Music Program (Los Chicos de San Carlos)Offers structured music education to approximately 30 children through instruction in steel pans, percussion, strings, and brass, with classes held Monday through Friday at the San Carlos center. Includes a performing student band that participates in local and regional events, such as a 2024 performance in Hermosillo; the program began in 2019 as a steel pan initiative.
- Youth Soccer Program Youth Competitive Soccer ProgramsProvides recreational soccer for children starting at age 5 to promote physical activity and coordination, with structured teams formed for participants starting at age 8. The program targets local teenagers, identified as one of the most vulnerable groups in the community.
- Youth Soccer Program Youth Competitive Soccer ProgramsProvides recreational and structured soccer opportunities for children starting at age 5, with formal teams formed at age 8, targeting local teenagers identified as vulnerable. The program promotes physical activity, coordination, and structured engagement through regular participation.
- Youth Sports Programs Youth Competitive Soccer ProgramsOperates a recreational soccer program for children starting at age 5, and forms official soccer teams for participants aged 8 and older, reaching local teenagers to promote physical activity and structured program experiences.
strategies · 37
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Arts Education for Holistic Child Development arts_educationUtilizes music education as a means to stimulate and support children's intellectual, social, and emotional growth.
- Arts education for holistic child development arts_educationUses music and dance education to support children’s intellectual, social, and emotional growth, recognizing the arts as a core component of well-rounded development.
- Community center as safe space for youth community_developmentProvides a safe, supportive "second home" for children and youth in rural areas lacking recreational and educational opportunities, particularly while parents are working.
- Community development through education and culture community_developmentEmpowers students and communities by integrating education, cultural expression, and community engagement to overcome systemic barriers and foster long-term resilience.
- Community-Based Holistic Development community_developmentEmpowers students to overcome barriers and build a brighter future by integrating education, cultural activities, and community development, providing a safe and supportive "second home" for children in rural communities.
- Continuous Organizational Improvement continuous_improvementCommits to ongoing evaluation and enhancement of its resources and processes to maximize effectiveness and efficiency.
- Continuous organizational improvement continuous_improvementCommits to ongoing refinement of internal resources and processes to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
- Cultural Exchange and Outreach cultural_exchangeFosters cultural exchange through collaboration between local families and international volunteers to promote mutual learning and understanding, and aims to share Mexican folklore with wider audiences through cultural outreach.
- Cultural Exchange for Mutual Learning cultural_exchangePromotes mutual learning and understanding by facilitating collaboration and interaction between local families and international volunteers.
- Cultural Outreach and Dissemination cultural_outreachExpands the reach of cultural programs, such as folkloric dance, beyond the local community to share and promote Mexican folklore with wider audiences.
- Cultural exchange through local-international collaboration cultural_exchangePromotes mutual understanding and learning by bringing together local families and international volunteers in shared cultural and community activities.
- Cultural outreach through performance cultural_outreachExpands the reach of folkloric dance beyond the local community to share cultural heritage with broader audiences and build pride and visibility.
- Direct institutional payment for education direct-institutional-paymentEnsures educational funds are used as intended by paying schools directly or providing prepaid vouchers, reducing financial barriers while maintaining accountability and minimizing misuse of resources.
- Direct-Institutional-Payment for Education direct-institutional-paymentEnsures financial support for education reaches its intended purpose by directly paying schools or using prepaid vouchers, rather than providing cash to families.
- Holistic Community Development through Education and Culture community_developmentEmpowers students to overcome barriers and build a brighter future by integrating education, cultural activities, and broader community development initiatives.
- Intergenerational Program Participation intergenerational_participationFosters family bonding and community cohesion by offering programs designed for simultaneous participation by children, youth, and parents.
- Intergenerational participation in cultural programs intergenerational_participationDesigns programs to include children, youth, and parents together, strengthening family bonds and fostering shared cultural identity across generations.
- Long-Term Student Support long-term student supportEncourages sponsors to provide continuous support to students throughout their entire academic careers, fostering sustained educational success.
- Merit and Need-Based Student Identification and Selection referral-based student identificationIdentifies academically high-achieving students from low-income families through referrals from school counselors and social workers, selecting them for sponsorship based on financial need and maintaining a high-grade point average.
- Merit and Need-Based Student Selection merit and need-based student selectionSelects students for sponsorship based on a dual criteria of demonstrated academic merit (minimum 8/10 GPA) and financial need (low-income threshold).
- Merit and need-based student selection merit and need-based student selectionSelects students for educational support based on both financial need and academic performance, ensuring resources are directed to those who are both economically disadvantaged and committed to their education.
- Professional Instruction in Arts Programs professional_instructionEnsures high-quality arts education by employing experienced professionals, such as a professional artist with over 30 years of experience, to lead programs.
- Professional and Intergenerational Arts Education arts_educationEmploys professional artists to lead programs like folkloric dance, offering family-friendly participation where children, youth, and parents engage together, and utilizing music education to foster intellectual, social, and emotional growth.
- Professional instruction in arts programming professional_instructionEmploys experienced professional artists to lead cultural programs, ensuring high-quality instruction and authentic transmission of artistic traditions.
- Referral-Based Student Identification referral-based student identificationIdentifies academically high-achieving students from low-income families by collaborating with school counselors and social workers for referrals from public schools.
- Referral-based identification of students referral-based student identificationIdentifies eligible students through trusted educational professionals such as school counselors and social workers, leveraging local expertise to reach those most in need.
- Sponsorship Model for Educational Funding sponsorship_modelConnects students from low-income families with individual sponsors to fund their education, ensuring financial support is delivered directly to schools or via prepaid vouchers, not cash to families.
- Sponsorship Model for Student Funding sponsorship_modelConnects students from low-income families with individual sponsors to provide consistent financial support for their education.
- Sponsorship model for education access sponsorship_modelConnects high-achieving, low-income students with individual sponsors to provide sustained financial and relational support throughout their academic journey, increasing educational persistence.
- Sports-Based Youth Development sports-based youth developmentUses soccer as a tool to develop life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and confidence in youth.
- Sports-Based Youth Development sports-based youth developmentUtilizes sports, specifically soccer, as a structured platform to cultivate essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and confidence in young people.
- Sports-based youth development sports-based youth developmentUses soccer as a platform to build life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and confidence in youth, promoting personal development through structured physical activity.
- Thrift Store and Volunteer-Driven Funding ModelRelies on a thrift store, fueled by diverse donations and volunteer support, to generate funds for its mission and educational programs.
- Thrift store social enterprise model social_enterpriseFunds mission-driven programs through a thrift store supported by donations and volunteer labor, creating a sustainable revenue stream while engaging the community.
- Women-Centered Community Development women-centered community developmentSupports women's personal growth through education and community support, based on the belief that empowering women benefits families and communities.
- Women-Centered Community Development women-centered community developmentEmpowers women through education and community support, believing that their personal growth positively impacts their families and the broader community.
- Women-centered community development women-centered community developmentEmpowers women through education and community support, operating on the theory that investing in women's growth creates ripple effects that strengthen entire families and communities.
named programs · 10
what they call their work
Adelante Estudiante Scholarship Program
Connects dedicated students from low-income families with sponsors to cover educational costs like tuition, uniforms, shoes, and school supplies in Mexico, where public education is not free beyond middle school.
Adelante Mujeres
A program designed to help local women build self-esteem, confidence, and personal growth through workshops, talks, and training opportunities focusing on emotional well-being and violence prevention.
Castaway Kids Thrift Store
A thrift store that sells donated items to raise funds for the organization's educational and community programs, while also providing affordable goods for local families.
Community Center Programs
Provides a safe space for learning, sports, and cultural activities in Ranchitos, San Carlos. Includes academic tutoring, English classes, and the Explorers Club, serving around 100 children and youth weekly.
English Classes
Volunteer-led English classes offered to sponsored students from Adelante Estudiante during winter months to improve language skills and expand opportunities.
Explorers Club
A program within the Community Center that takes place twice a week, offering themed projects, nutritious meals, and activities to spark curiosity, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills for children.
Folkloric Dance Program (Sewa'aka Ballet)
A family-friendly program led by a professional artist, where children, youth, and parents learn and perform traditional Mexican dance, celebrating cultural roots.
Los Chicos de San Carlos Music Program
Offers instruction in Steel Pans, Percussion, Strings, and Brass to approximately 30 children, fostering intellectual, social, and emotional growth through music. The student band performs at local and state events.
Psychological Support
On-site psychological support for students at the Education Center, providing emotional and mental health assistance.
Soccer Program
A program for children as young as 5, and structured teams for those 8 and older, that provides a healthy activity, builds teamwork, discipline, and confidence, particularly reaching teenagers.
relationships · 7
who they work with
- Adelante Estudiante Partner — Program that Castaway Kids operates to provide student sponsorships.
- Los Chicos de San Carlos Partner — Student band that represents the music program at local events and community celebrations.
- Michelle Partner — Sponsored student who received support through the Adelante Estudiante program and now gives back to the community.
- PayPal Partner — Platform used to facilitate donations to the organization.
- Terry and Ron Challis Funder — Provided generous support for the Community Center.
- international volunteers Partner — Engages international volunteers in programs and cultural exchange activities
- local families Partner — Collaborates with local families in program delivery and cultural exchange