LA JORNADA MINISTRIES INC.

LA JORNADA MINISTRIES IS A CHRISTIAN LIVE-IN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN BOLIVIA THAT PREPARES YOUNG MEN LIVING IN POVERTY TO GROW INTO HEALTHY COMMITTED LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING SPIRITUAL MENTORSHIP LIFE SKILLS TRAINING AND EDUCATION. AT LA JORNADA ('THE JOURNEY') YOUNG MEN FROM THE STREETS EXPERIENCE AN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT BEGINS TO ADDRESS THE FEELINGS OF SHAME AND HOPELESSNESS. THE ORGANIZATION EXISTS NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION BUT ALSO TO BE A PLACE WHERE THESE FORMER STREET KIDS CAN REALIZE THEIR PASTS DO NOT HAVE TO DETERMINE THEIR FUTURES. THIS CHARITY'S PURPOSE ALIGNS WITH THE GOAL OF CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN BOLIVIA WHICH IS 'TO SUPPORT A MORE EQUITABLE SOCIETY IN WHICH POVERTY IS REDUCED AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF VULNERABLE AND MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS IS IMPROVED'. BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND A PLACE TO LIVE INCLUDING FOOD AND CLOTHING LA JORNADA OFFERS YOUNG MEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REBUILD THEIR SELF ESTEEM AND ACHIEVE A MEANINGFUL ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY AS EDUCATED AND SKILLED MEN. THE ORGANIZATION CURRENTLY OPERATES A MEN'S HOME IN THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA BOLIVIA. WITH A CAPACITY OF 15 BEDS STAYING IN THE HOME MEANS 15 FEWER YOUNG MEN LIVING ON THE STREET. CLOTHING AND A NUTRITIONAL DIET ARE PROVIDED ALONG WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND MENTORSHIP IN THE PURSUIT OF A SECONDARY AND/OR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION. THE GOAL IS FOR 4 MEN TO GRADUATE EACH YEAR AND TO MOVE OUT TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND PRODUCTIVELY AS CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF BOLIVIAN SOCIETY. UPON 'GRADUATING' FROM THE LA JORNADA PROGRAM THE MEN CAN STAY AT THE HOME FOR AN ADDITIONAL 6 MONTHS WHILE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HELP THEM FIND HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT AS THEY TRANSITION TO A LIFE OUTSIDE THE HOME. KEN SWITZER IS THE MANAGER OF LA JORNADA MINISTRIES. ORIGINALLY FROM SASKATCHEWAN KEN SPENT 20+ YEARS WORKING WITH YOUTH AND TROUBLED TEENS IN CANADA BEFORE MOVING PERMANENTLY TO SANTA CRUZ BOLIVIA IN 2006. SINCE THEN KEN HAS WORKED CLOSELY WITH 'STREET KIDS' AND ESTABLISHED SIGNIFICANT RELATIONSHIPS WITH ORPHANAGES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SIMILARLY SERVING SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE AND MARGINALIZED IN THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ.