Project RED is a
Reintegration, Education & Development.
We bridge gaps for children and bring HOPE to families through:
What is Project RED?
Project RED works with children who have experienced traumatic and vulnerable circumstances in El Salvador. We believe that the best way to impact a child is to work with their entire family. We strengthen families through personalized and holistic approach, and simultaneously advocate for each child to be placed in a safe, loving and permanent home.
We exist to fill a gap in the system.
In 2011, a law for child protection in El Salvador caused thousands of children to leave orphanages without any support or follow-up. There are no records of these cases, though we know that many of these children joined gangs, were forced into prostitution and faced other unimagineable situations. Project RED was born in response to the great gap that was created by this law.
El Salvador’s child protection system has recently undergone major adjustments, and a new law that seeks to protect children's rights, the Ley Crecer Juntos ("Grow Together") began implementation on January 1, 2023. We eagerly await the positive changes that are already beginning to take place as the country's government begins to implement this new law.
One such important change is that children who are placed in families, whether biological or extended, after having been in the system, must be evaluated and determined safe. In order to do this, the support of programs that work with families and ensure children’s safety becomes necessary. That’s where Project RED comes in.
Our Work
We know that children belong in families; we also firmly believe that families must provide a safe environment in which children can grow and develop in a healthy way. Our program both provides support for families and monitors the safety of each child.
Poverty (which is much more extreme than poverty in the United States), gang violence, sex trafficking, incest and sexual abuse are the norm in El Salvador. Public child protective services in the country are overrun with cases, most of which are unimaginable. Non-government organizations are necessary to help to fill this great gap.
Learn more about our programs here.
