It has long been recognized that the cycle of poverty has taken hold in Casco Antiguo. Individuals are disadvantaged early on in life due to lack off financial capital, education, or other needs that could improve their lives. Without access to these resources, it is difficult to escape poverty; and as families grow, the problems that face them continue as more people are exposed to these problems.  As a result, the members of the community have become dependent on the government for aid and support. Along with these well-known issues, there lies an epidemic of emotional poverty that can no longer be ignored. The people of the area, especially the women, suffer from low self-esteem and lack a self-identity because of their situation. With help out of reach, poverty leads to unhealthy life-styles and depression as people grow to think of themselves merely as untrained dependants who have no choice in how to run their own lives.

The Fundación Calicanto is taking on these problems by utilizing the diversity found in Casco Antiguo, our programs, and our ability to build the self-esteem and personal values of our community members. There is a clear opportunity to help preserve, empower, and energize the neighborhood here in Casco Antiguo, and we are ready for the challenge.

Instead of focusing on short-term results, Fundación Calicanto aims to help improve the community and daily lives of it’s members now and moving forward.  We believe in tackling the issues facing the community at large and the individuals that comprise it, now and in the future.  Some of the strategies that we believe work include: