By JC Montenegro
Delegate for Mission Animation

Fr Juan Carlos Quirarte from Mexico Guadalajara and James Areiza from Colombia Medellin spend one week working at the Salesian Family Youth Center. Their main objective was to strengthen the great job being done at Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, where over 1,900 children are served yearly.

The project started by analyzing the reality at the Salesian Family Youth Center. They analyzed personnel, processes, clients, and reviewing general how the club is doing. They found out some strong points like motivated staff, good organizational structure, great location, good collaboration with St Mary’s church, among others.

All this analysis was done by meeting with all personnel at different levels of responsibility and reviewing the 2018-2021 strategic plan. They contacted if what is being written is being put into practice in the daily activity.

As a result of this analysis, they also gave some recommendations among them we have:

– To improve the visibility of the club. Making sure there are clear signs and motivational posters around the club. They also suggested it may be a good idea to paint a mural at the entrance of the club.
– Salesian ongoing formation. It was recommended that the team and the children have a precise Salesian ongoing formation. This formation must be something that is combined with professional development.
– Develop an emotional salary concept at the club, understanding that money is not everything, and the question is how the club can motivate its employees emotionally.
– Ongoing recruitment activity was suggested that the club should continuously recruit children not only at the beginning of the year and during the summer camp.
– Develop collaboration among all the Salesian presences in Los Angeles as it is being done with St Mary’s church

The visit of these two Salesians is part of the strengthening project of the social works at the regional level, where 18 countries are participating.