Examples of small group homes in Mexico

In this video we see examples of two small group homes in Mexico, Casa Alianza and Casa Colibrí. Those who live in these two homes arrived in Mexico as unaccompanied children. Albergue Colibrí and Casa Alianza are ordinary houses in ordinary streets situated in two different cities of Mexico. Some of the children are still in transit, others are hoping to remain in Mexico, while some children are hoping to return home and be reunified with their family. The professional teams that support the children are working to create a family environment.

In this video you will hear from Roberto Guerrerro Reyes, Programme Director of the small group home Casa Alianza, speak about the importance of creating a family environment for the unaccompanied children who stay with them. We also hear from Abraham Cárdenas Vadillo, Director of the small group home Albergue Colibrí, and Dulce María Kemparra, the Operational Assistant Director of the same home. Abraham will tell us about the importance of only having a small number of children in a small group home at any given time. Dulce explains how important it is to create an environment in which children feel cared for and safe.

These two examples of small group homes are now providing a model of family-like care that the Government of Mexico are encouraging other regional authorities across the country to reproduce. We will hear more about the ‘open door’ policy of these two small group homes in Week 5 of the course.