Think Creative Issue 8

A Second Chance

Center: Participants at the Factoría pray after a group sharing session. Bottom: La Factoria’s director Jaime Zablah Siri (second from left) stands with a group of staff and clients.

Huellas de Esperanza’s ministry is

An ecosystem of violence intervention With one of the highest homicide rates in the world and a staggering gang membership estimated at 60,000 people, El Salvador’s need to break cycles of violence in communities is urgent. La Factoría and Eben-Ezer show it is possible for perpetrators of gang violence to change. The organizations’ shared vision is to end the pervasive stigma around people for- merly affiliated with gangs or incarcerated and to reduce the return to crime. “Collaborating with La Factoría and Eben- Ezer has changed me … to take off the lens of criminality and to see (former gang members) as human beings,” says Marroquín. Connecting these pioneer organizations with civil society, policymakers, law enforcement and the private sector, CVPP helped encour-

equipped with a commercial oven for their bakery.

launch La Factoría, CVPP organized a trip to Los Angeles for faith leaders working in gang- dominated neighborhoods. NelsonMoz, Eben- Ezer’s pastor of nearly 23 years and Huellas de Esperanza’s founder, was one of 20 leaders inspired by the violence prevention programs they visited. CVPP facilitated workshops and presentations back in El Salvador to strengthen and grow the network of faith-based violence prevention efforts and equip themwith tools and strategies. “It was an enriching experience,” says Moz. “To know that we are important in the peace process, in the process of initiating a new era for our country.” Faith leaders have successfully intervened in gang-dominated communities in El Salvador, to de-escalate violent situations or guide at-risk youth. CVPP’s work with faith-based leaders was reciprocal, as many offered an exchange of technical knowledge from their intimate under- standing of a population few can reach. “They have been a key partner for us because they know the realities of the families,” says Glenda Marroquín, a technical assistant for CVPP. “The study tour was really valuable because it gave the pastors a new vision for how to approach violence, under the focus of faith, but with new tools and strategies.” CVPP also coordinated with its grantee Contex- tos to conduct an art therapy workshop called “Soy Autor” or I Aman Author, for Eben-Ezer’s beneficiaries. Contextos uses storytellingmeth- odology to promote healing and interrupt cycles of violence, and gave former gangmembers the

age sustainability and growth through strong networks and access to resources. La Factoría Ciudadana and Eben-Ezer contribute to this work through piloting evidence-based prevention approaches. They support El Salvador’s men and women willing to change not only their life paths but also those of their families and communities. n

chance to process trauma by writing and illus- trating their stories, later becoming published books that can be shared with family, friends, youth in schools, and other stakeholders to break down prejudice and stigma. “It can change your course, it can change your life,” recalls Jorge. “It was an experience that helped me see my life from a different view.”

24 | Think Creative | Fall 2020