Reflections From Colombia

by Justin Sims, Director of Thriving Skills

July 7, 2023

Recent graduates from Flint’s Thriving Skills program with Atrapasueños in Colombia.

"THERE IS NOTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN SOMEONE WHO GOES OUT OF THEIR WAY TO MAKE LIFE BEAUTIFUL FOR OTHERS." - MANDY HALE

This sentiment encapsulates the spirit of Flint’s work in Colombia, where relational leadership is foundational to the growth and empowerment of the youth we serve. To spend time with our program leaders is to spend time with beautiful humans, who dedicate themselves to creating opportunities for their communities. During a recent visit to Bogota and Medellin, I had the opportunity to spend time with our dedicated program leaders and the resilient young people enrolled in the Thriving Skills program. Sharing with them and witnessing their stories of triumph and transformation was a testament to the power of positive connections and the lasting impact they can have on young lives.

For many of the youth we serve, their journey through life and the protective care system has been marked by hardships and the absence of traditional family. Research shows that just one positive connection to a caring adult can empower a student to overcome challenges and succeed. Our program leaders embrace this responsibility and connect individually with each of the young people in their care.

They teach the important and practical information that is needed for our students coming out of protective care to not only survive but thrive on their own. Just as importantly, they serve as a steadfast guide for students who finally land a job interview but do not know what to wear and for recent graduates looking for places to live but doubting if they have budgeted properly. Our program leaders are able to provide critical connections to needed resources, but often, they are the critical connection. They are someone who cares when times are difficult. We have all needed someone like that at one point in our lives.

While in Medellin, we ate at a restaurant where two of our students are employed. The owner is so pleased with their work that he has asked for more students of our program to be sent his way.

In a country where opportunities for formal employment are often scarce, that is an incredible success for our students! It is even more incredible when the students in our programs consistently cite managing their emotions as one of their biggest internal challenges.

To regulate emotions after great trauma is difficult, and our students are managing to excel in service jobs where they partake in a daily emotional workout, in part because of the support of our program leaders and teachers, such as Gabriel, Jenny, Alejandra, and Diana; who consistently show our students that they are worth fighting for, that they can make changes in their lives, and that hope for a brighter future exists.

Love is a powerful force.  When that love is combined with practical, proven tools for success, mountains are moved. 

We met with former students who are gainfully employed, pursuing dreams, saving for vehicles which will make their lives easier, and giving back to their communities. One young graduate proudly shared pictures of her new condo for which she has made a down payment. These young people are investing in their dreams because someone first invested in them. We are grateful to the change-making leaders on the ground. And we are grateful for the change-makers like you, who make this work possible. Thank you.