The Minister of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood, and Families of the Government of the Canary Islands, Candelaria Delgado, visited the headquarters of Aldeas Infantiles in Tenerife to learn about the Construyendo Futuro project. This initiative, funded by 0.7% of personal income tax, promotes the socio-labor inclusion of young people in vulnerable situations.
Accompanied by Sandra Rodríguez, Director General of Child and Family Protection, and Juan Vicente González, Territorial Director of Aldeas Infantiles in the Canary Islands, Delgado learned about the program's details. The Minister explained that it involves "personalized pathways combining technical training, personal development, and digital skills adapted to each young person's individual characteristics, establishing comprehensive support until they achieve access to the labor market and social inclusion."
During the meeting, Aldeas Infantiles' training and employment projects were discussed, including the involvement of its insertion company for vulnerable families. While children attend the nursery school or day center, adults are trained to improve their employability and escape vulnerability.
Juan Vicente González highlighted the incorporation of technologies for distance learning, particularly useful in island contexts with geographical and connectivity limitations, and the promotion of pre-labor experiential workshops linked to sustainable and emerging sectors in the Canary Islands, such as bio-construction or organic farming. The aim is for young people in the project to acquire practical skills with an environmental focus.
Aldeas Infantiles carries out various projects funded by 0.7% of personal income tax, totaling approximately 350,000 euros. These include residential centers for former foster care minors and the project Especialmente Diferentes. The latter enhances the physical and motor development of 55 minors with disabilities and/or social vulnerability through horse-assisted interventions at the Aldeas Infantiles Ecogranja, using horses as a therapeutic element for the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and occupational development of individuals with functional diversity, social vulnerability, and/or social exclusion.
Other initiatives include the Work-Life Balance program for vulnerable families and the Day Centers, which offer educational support, homework assistance, personal and social skills development, and the acquisition of positive coexistence habits for minors and families.
The Culture of Peace mediation project is implemented in educational and community settings to promote coexistence and reject violence. Additionally, initiatives to boost volunteering were discussed, offering training and support to participants.
