Safe Passage

SAFE PASSAGE WORKS TO TRANSFORM LIVES BY PROVIDING STUDENTS IN THE GUATEMALA CITY GARBAGE DUMP COMMUNITY WITH AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION, A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE, AND PATHWAYS TO A JOB WITH DIGNITY SO THEY CAN ACHIEVE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

SEE SCHEDULE OSAFE PASSAGE PROVIDES INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN OF FAMILIES WHO MAKE THEIR LIVING FROM THE GUATEMALA CITY DUMP AND INTEGRATED SUPPORT FOR THEIR FAMILIES. IT IS A U.S. REGISTERED 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES FINANCIAL AND OTHER MANAGEMENT, FUNDRAISING, AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE GUATEMALA-REGISTERED CAMINO SEGURO AND CREAMOS NON-PROFIT ASSOCIATIONS.OUR VISION: SAFE PASSAGE IS AN INTERNATIONAL MODEL FOR HOW TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION OF THE WHOLE CHILD FOCUSED ON WELLNESS, LIFELONG LEARNING, VOCATIONAL SKILLS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CAN BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY.SINCE 1999, WHEN HANLEY DENNING FIRST BEGAN CONVINCING PARENTS WORKING IN THE GUATEMALA CITY DUMP TO ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN IN LOCAL SCHOOLS AND OFFERED SUPPORT FOR THE HALF-DAY THAT STUDENTS WERE NOT IN SCHOOL, SAFE PASSAGE HAS EVOLVED INTO A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION SERVING 560 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM AGE 4 THROUGH AGE 20 (INCLUDING FULL DAY PROGRAM, HALF DAY HIGH SCHOOL AND VOATIONAL TRAINING). THE YOUNGEST LEARNERS ATTEND AN EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING MODELLED PRESCHOOL FOCUSED ON "LEARNING THROUGH PLAY AND THEN MOVE INTO A FULL-DAY, ACCREDITED PRIMARY SCHOOL THAT ALSO EMPLOYS EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING, AND FINALIZED AT 9TH GRADE IN 2021. STARTING IN 2015, THE GUIDING METHODOLOGY FOR THE FULL DAY PROGRAM (PRESCHOOL, PRIMARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL) HAS BEEN EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING, A HANDS-ON, EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH TO LEARNING WITH A DISTINGUISHED TRACK RECORD IN POOR U.S. COMMUNITIES. EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING MOVES STUDENTS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM TO WORK TOGETHER IN UNDERTAKING PROJECTS IN "EXPEDITIONS" THAT INVOLVE INVESTIGATING ISSUES IN THEIR COMMUNITY IN WAYS THAT WEAVE TOGETHER SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, READING, MATH, TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS. EXPEDITIONS CAN BE FROM SEVERAL WEEKS TO A FULL SEMESTER OF REAL-WORLD, IN-DEPTH STUDY THAT PROMOTES CRITICAL THINKING, LITERACY, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. STUDENTS PRESENT THEIR WORK TO OTHERS AS PART OF A RIGOROUS ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND LEAD REGULAR CONFERENCES WITH THEIR PARENTS. OUR MODEL CONSISTS OF ACTIVE AND ENGAGING SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION FOR ALL STUDENTS. IN ADDITION TO PROMOTING ACTIVE, HANDS-ON ENGAGEMENT AROUND GUIDING QUESTIONS, EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING PROMOTES A SCHOOL CULTURE ROOTED IN KINDNESS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, A SENSE OF ADVENTURE, AN ETHIC OF SERVICE, AND DESIRE FOR EXCELLENCE. "CREW" ADVISORY MEETINGS SUPPORT AND HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE. STUDENT CREWS ARE LEAD CONSISTENTLY BY THE SAME ADULT FOR 3-4 YEARS, PROVIDING MUCH-NEEDED STABILITY AND SUPPORT FOR WHAT OFTEN BECOMES A "SECOND FAMILY".WITH COMPLETION OF OUR BSICO (MIDDLE SCHOOL) PROGRAM IN 2021, COMPLIMENTING OUR PRE-PRIMARY AND ELEMENTARY FULL DAY PROGRAMS. IN 2022, SAFE PASSAGE'S FIRST GRADUATING 9TH GRADE COHORT MOVED TO OUR HIGH SCHOOL DIVERSIFICADO PROGRAM (HIGH SCHOOL) WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO ATTEND LOCAL SCHOOLS THAT OPERATE HALF-DAY PROGRAMS. THESE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN "OPORTUNIDADES", OUR "EDUCATIONAL REINFORCEMENT" INITIATIVE. THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS STUDENTS THROUGH TUTORING AND REMEDIAL IN-DEPTH INSTRUCTION IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND ENGLISH, AND PROVIDES REINFORCEMENT THROUGH SOCIAL WORK, PSYCHOLOGY AND NUTRITION. IN ADDITION, IT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES, OFFERS VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PUTS THEM ON THE ROAD TO FINDING A JOB. THE PRXIMO PASO (NEXT STEP) PROGRAM GIVES FURTHER SUPPORT TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR THE WORKPLACE OR UNIVERSITY STUDY.AS PART OF AN INTEGRATED, HOLISTIC APPROACH TO EDUCATION AND POVERTY REDUCTION, SAFE PASSAGE ALSO RECOGNIZES THAT FACTORS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON STUDENT SUCCESS. A TEAM OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS HELPS STUDENTS ACROSS ALL DIVISIONS AND SECTIONS OF THE SCHOOL WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES, OR FAMILY PROBLEMS. A HEALTH CLINIC AND HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. THE FAMILY NURTURING PROGRAM TRAINS PARENTS TO DISCIPLINE WITHOUT VIOLENCE AND BUILD POSITIVE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. CREAMOS, A WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM, PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR MOTHERS TO EARN INCOME AND HOSTS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT GROUP AS WELL AS OTHER WELLNESS AND HEALTH PROGRAMS. WITHIN CREAMOS, AN ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM ALLOWS PARENTS OR RETURNING STUDENTS TO COMPLETE PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL. PROGRAM PARTICIPATION: CURRENTLY THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM SUPPORTS MORE THAN 600 STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND 89 ADULTS PURSUING ADULT LITERACY. ANOTHER 120 MOTHERS ARE INVOLVED IN ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH CREAMOS AND 56 MOTHERS ATTEND CREAMOS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND FINANCIAL LITERACY SUPPORT GROUPS. SAFE PASSAGE ALSO PROVIDES FOOD AND OTHER SERVICES TO OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE 1100+ STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.LOCATION: PROGRAM FACILITIES ARE LOCATED ON FIVE SITES IN THE DUMP COMMUNITY BETWEEN ZONES 3 AND 7 IN GUATEMALA CITY. THESE SITES INCLUDE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER WITH KITCHEN AND ATHLETIC FACILITIES (FOR PRESCHOOL STUDENTS AGES 4 TO 6). THE PRIMARY SCHOOL (FULL-DAY GRADES 1 TO 6, PLUS A LIBRARY, KITCHEN, AND LUNCHROOM). A CONVERTED HOUSE AND WAREHOUSE THAT HOUSES AN ON-SITE INFIRMARY, AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES. A LARGE NEW CENTER, BUILT IN 2015 WITH HELP FROM EMPLOYEES OF A LOCAL CALL CENTER ON A DONATED PARCEL OF LAND ADJACENT TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE DUMP, FOR OUR HALF-DAY REINFORCEMENT PROGRAM FOR OLDER STUDENTS AND PROGRAMS IN CREATIVE ARTS, SPORTS, ENGLISH LANGUAGE, WEEKEND AND EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS, AND PARENT PROGRAMS). SAFE PASSAGE ALSO MAINTAINS A FUNDRAISING AND SUPPORT OFFICE IN NEW GLOUCESTER, MAINE. STAFF: THE GUATEMALA PROGRAM EMPLOYS ABOUT 110 STAFF MEMBERS, ALMOST ALL ARE GUATEMALAN NATIONALS, TO CARRY OUT PROGRAM OPERATIONS. PREVIOUS TO COVID, NUMEROUS INTERNATIONAL AND GUATEMALAN VOLUNTEERS (AVERAGING 20-25 AT ANY ONE TIME) WOULD LEND SUPPORT FOR TERMS RANGING FROM 5 WEEKS TO 3 YEARS. THESE PROGRAMS WILL RECOMMENCE SOMETIME BEFORE THE END OF 2022 AND INTO THE 2023 SCHOOL YEAR. SAFE PASSAGE'S U.S. OFFICE IN MAINE EMPLOYS 6 STAFF MEMBERS AND ENGAGES MANY LOCAL VOLUNTEERS. 2021 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:COMPLETION OF ITS PROGRAM EXPANSION AS A FULL-DAY SCHOOL PER A STRATEGIC PLAN ADOPTED IN 2013 BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.EXPANSION OF THE FULL-DAY PRIMARY SCHOOL THROUGH 9TH GRADE USING EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING: IN 2021, SAFE PASSAGE COMPLETED THE PROCESS OF EXPANSION TO A FULL-DAY SCHOOL, WITH TWO SECTIONS IN EVERY GRADE UP THROUGH 9TH GRADE, USING EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING AS THE GUIDING METHODOLOGY AS ACCREDITED BY THE GUATEMALAN MINISTRY OF EDUCATION. THIS INTERDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM PROMOTES HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES AND CRITICAL THINKING, FOCUSING ON REAL-WORLD ISSUES TO PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE THAT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR JOBS IN THE FORMAL SECTOR. RESPONSE TO THE COVID CRISIS AND DISTANT LEARNINGBEGINNING MARCH 16, 2020, AFTER THE GUATEMALAN GOVERNMENT DECLARED THAT NO IN-PERSON CLASSES WOULD BE PERMITTED ACROSS ALL INSTITUTIONS IN THE COUNTRY, SAFE PASSAGE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN WORKING TO CONVERT OUR EXISTING EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING CURRICULUM TO A DISTANCE LEARNING MODEL. GIVEN OUR PARTICULAR CHALLENGES AND POPULATION, INCLUDING THE ABSENCE OF VIRTUAL CAPACITY, TECHONOLOGY OR IN SOME CASES EVEN ELECTRICITY IN THE HOMES OF OUR STUDENTS, ECUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP CREATED A NEW SERIES OF TAKE HOME PACKETS AND IN-HOME PROJECTS TO ENSURE LEARNING CONTINUED APACE. AS THE YEAR CONTINUED, TEACHER AMBASSADORS WERE APPOINTED TO SERVE STUDENTS, AND EVENTUALLY STAFF CREATED INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS TO AUGMENT INSTRUCITON. BY THE END OF THE 2020 SCHOOL YEAR SAFE PASSAGE STILL ACHIEVED A 96% GRADUATION AND ADVANCEMENT RATE AMONG ALL STUDENTS AND SATISFIED ALL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT PROGRESS AND MEETING OF STANDARDS. INCREASED ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGYFOR SEVERAL YEARS, SAFE PASSAGE HAS PRIORITIZED IMPROVING ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, TECHNOLOGICAL CURRICULUM AND INTERNATIONAL WEB BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THOUGH SAFE PASSAGE SPENT ALMOST THE ENTIRE YEAR IN DISTANCE MODE, WE NONETHELESS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN PURSUIT OF THIS GOAL BY ADDING 20 MORE LAPTOPS TO OUR EXISTING CATLOG OF 40 LAPTOPS AND 40 TABLETS FOR STUDENTS IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR RETURN. THESE ALLOW FOR AN INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING PROGRAM ALLOWING EACH STUDENT TO FOCUS ON THEIR AREAS OF SPECIFIC NEED. IN 2020 SAFE PASSAGE PROVIDED LAPTOPS TO ALL TEACHERS WHILE EXPANDING DISTANCE LEARNING AND PROFESIONAL COLLABOARTIVE OPPORTUNITIES AND ADDED 30 MORE LAPTOPS FOR STUDENT USE IN 2021. IN 2022, SAFE PASSAGE WILL AUGMENT DEVICE ACCESS FURTHER BY ADDING 40 TABLETS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING OUR NEW ENGLISH PROGRAM.

STATEMENT ONE CONTINUED. SEE SCHEDULE ONUTRITION, MEDICINE AND COUNSELLINGIN THE FACE OF THE COVID CRISIS, SAFE PASSAGE CRAFTED A STUDENT AND FAMILY WIDE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WHEREBY SOCIAL WORKERS STAYED IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH FAMILIES, TRACKING HEALTH AND MEETING NEEDS WITHIN THE HOME, WHETHER DUE TO INCREASED HARDSHIP, DOMESTIC CONFLICT OR FINANCIAL ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY, OUR MEDICAL TEAM ESTABLISHED A TELE-MEDICINE AND TELE-PSYCOLOGICAL MODEL, WHEREBY FAMILIES MAINTAINED ACCESS TO A PEDIATRICIAN, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PRESCRIPTIONS FOR NEEDED MEDICATIONS.ENGLISH-LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AT ALL LEVELSRECOGNIZING THE ADVANTAGES THAT ENGLISH-LANGUAGE SPEAKERS HAVE IN THE JOB MARKED IN GUATEMALA, AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A STRONG CADRE OF INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERS AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS, SAFE PASSAGE IS NOW PROVIDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FROM AGE 2 THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, USING INTERACTIVE METHODS CONSISTENT WITH SAFE PASSAGE'S EDUCATIONAL PEDAGOGY. IN 2021, SAFE PASSAGE REFORMED ITS ENTIRE ENGLISH INSTRUCTION CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM TO EMBED ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING ACROSS ALL DISCIPLINES AND LEVELS, WHILE ALIGNING BEST PRACTICES AND DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES. WITH THE NEW CURRICULUM AND PROGRAM DESIGN COMPLETED IN 2021, THIS VITAL PROGRAM IS BEING IMPLEMENTED IN 2022.NEW FACILITES AND PLAYGROUNDGIVEN PAST CHALLENGES WITH SECURING THE NEEDED SPACE FOR STUDENT PLAY AND PHYSICAL LEARNING, BETWEEN 2020 AND 2021, SAFE PASSAGE CONTSTRUCTED A PLAYGROUND FOR OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH WILL NOW PRECLUDE TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS TO OUR PRE-PRIMARY FACILITY FOR THEIR PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING. THIS WILL ENABLE MORE PLAY TIME AND AVOID UNNECESSARY EXPOSURE OF STUDENTS TO EXTERNAL DANGERS DURING TRANSIT, GIVEN THE EXISTING HEIGHTENED LEVELS OF VIOLENCE IN OUR BROADER COMMUNITY DUE TO GANG ACTIVITY AND GENERAL CRIMINALITY. IN 2021, WE ALSO COMPLETED THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS AND ADDITIONAL PLAY AREAS FOR OLDER ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING NEW YOUNGER STUDENT PLAYGROUND. WE ALSO ADDED A NEW STEM LAB AND UPGRADED COMPUTER LAB IN PREPARATION FOR OUR STUDENTS RETURN. 2021 ALSO INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO NEW CLASSROOMS AND INDOOR SPORTS COURT, IN 2022, WE WLL BE FINALIZING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ROPE COURSE AND COLLABORATIVE PHYSICAL ECUATION/TEAM BUILIDNG AREA TO AUGMENT OUR EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING PROGRAM FOR GRADES 4 THROUGH 6.COMMUNITY WIDE VACCINATION CLINICSIN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH THE MINISTRTY OF HEALTH, SAFE PASSAGE SUCCESSFULLY HELD 3 COMMUNITY ACCESS VACCINATION CLINICS IN 2021, WITH A TOTAL NUMBER OF OVER 1000 SHOTS ADMINISTERED IN AGGREGATE. WITH A PRIMARY FOCUS ON MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILIES, VACCINATIONS WERE ALSO MADE AVAILABLE TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GARBAGE DUMP COMMUNITY. AT PRESENT, WITH GOVERNMENT DECREE TO LOWER TO ADMISSABLE AGE FOR VACCINATION TO 5 YEARS, SAFE PASSAGE IS WORKING TO ORGANIZE ADDITIONAL VACCINATION CLINICS FOR OUR YOUNGER STUDENTS. ADDITIONALLY, VACCINATION AND NOW BOOSTER RATES OF OUR STAFF AND FACULTY ARE AT 98%.NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING AND COMPLEX (BASICO)WITH THE ADDITION OF GRADES 7 THROUGH 9, THOSE STUDENTS ARE UTILIZING EXISTING SPACE IN OUR PRIMARY FACILITY. GIVEN ISSUES OF SPACE AND INSTRUCTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, SAFE PASSAGE RAISED THE REQUISITE FUNDS IN 2021 FOR A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS AND COMMUNTY COMPLEX, THE CONSTRUCITON OF WHICH WILL COMMENNCE IN 2022, WITH COMPLETION AND OPENING TO STUDENTS IN 2023.SAFE PASSAGE IS AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION, AND THE IRS 990 ONLY REFLECTS FINANCING FOR U.S.-BASED ACTIVITY. TO GET A TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR COMPLETE FINANCIAL PICTURE, PLEASE REFER TO OUR COMBINED FINANCIAL REPORT, AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE (WWW.SAFEPASSAGE.ORG/FINANCIALS) AND UPON REQUEST