Residential Program

Esperanza Juvenil has family-like homes grounded in values with staff who provide the children and youth with academic, emotional, physical and spiritual support year-round. Each home has 12 boys or girls. The majority of the Esperanza Juvenil children are in regular contact with their families. We believe that family support of the children in the program is an important component to their success.

At the elementary and middle school levels, the children attend the Esperanza Juvenil Elementary and Middle School while the high school students attend private schools in Guatemala City and receive four hours of tutoring and extracurricular classes at Esperanza Juvenil each day. The children receive art, music, dance, soccer, and swimming classes. They take cultural and educational trips, have visits from local and international leaders, and impact their community through regular volunteer work.

Elementary and Middle School

The Esperanza Juvenil Elementary and Middle School was opened in January of 2008 and is certified by the Guatemalan Ministry of Education. The School provides an excellent education from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday and on Saturday mornings year-round. The Esperanza Juvenil School places a strong emphasis on the development of critical thinking rather than rote memory skills, constant interaction with the world beyond the school walls and regular use of technology, which is integrated into all of the core classes.

Each grade level has a maximum of 15 students. The school is attended by the children in the Residential Program as well as non-residential Day Students. The Day Students are children who are in great need of a quality education and Esperanza Juvenil’s services but are able to live with their immediate families. Day Students receive classes, meals, snacks, medical care and opportunities throughout the year.

University Scholarships

Esperanza Juvenil strives to provide all of its children with the support they need to attend and succeed at the college level. Esperanza Juvenil collegians receive college scholarships and live in the Esperanza Juvenil residential homes. They work in local businesses part-time. They also provide tutoring, mentoring and administrative help to Esperanza Juvenil as a way to give back and role model for the younger children.

100% of the Esperanza Juvenil youth who have graduated from high school have entered the university. Esperanza Juvenil has six youth who are currently studying at the Universidad Rafael Landivar and the Universidad Mariano Galvez. They are studying business administration, agricultural sciences and marketing.