People in the Western Hemisphere live in countries that are more democratic and economically open than three decades ago. Yet there remain pockets of insecurity, economic fragility and educational deficiencies that still need to be addressed. Creative has been leading innovative, sustainable development programs in key Latin American and Caribbean countries for four decades.
Creative’s programming in the hemisphere is built on evidence, proven tools and a deep understanding of local contexts. Projects are designed to be inclusive of marginalized groups, operate with local organizations and engage the private sector to ensure that the positive change put in motion lasts long after Creative’s interventions.
Since its first project in 1978 in Bolivia, Creative has expanded to nearly 20 countries in the region to promote citizen security, advance positive youth development, reduce the risk of gang violence, strengthen governance and the rule of law, build educational systems and develop economic opportunities.
Special Reports
In-depth project stories. Click to view.
Current Projects
Get an up close look at our innovative projects. Click to view.
MULTIMEDIA
“I Can Do It”: Connecting Mountains to Markets
Girls sports teams and tournaments are giving young women in Northeast Nigeria, a dangerous place for women, a chance to build self esteem and skills in safe spaces. Learn more.
[Virtual Panel] Global Remittances and Prospects for Macro economic Growth
Expert panelists discuss Venezuelan migrant communities in Colombia and the many challenges to their regularization into Colombian society. Learn more.
[Virtual Panel] Venezuelan Migrants in Colombia: Understanding Context, Unraveling Challenges
Expert panelists discuss Venezuelan migrant communities in Colombia and the many challenges to their regularization into Colombian society. Learn more.
[Virtual Panel] MS-13 and Preventing Gang Violence Across the Americas
In this virtual panel, author Steven Dudley shares insights from his book on MS-13 and gang violence prevention experts share their insights from the U.S. and Latin America. Learn more.
Creative Chats: COVID-19 and youth skills in Central America
From Central America, Creative's Rodrigo Morán and Juan Manuel Sánchez discuss the shifting landscape of digital skills youth will need to move forward from the pandemic and the challenges and opportunities of technical education. Learn more.
Timeline: Creative promotes peace and prevents violence
Creative has been on the forefront of preventing crime and violence, with a focus on youth, families and reintegration. Click through this timeline to see how our work has evolved since the early 1990s. Learn more.
New study reveals factors that drive migrants to leave Central America
A comprehensive study found that most migrants from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala originate from just 60 municipalities, across which specific factors that push them to leave and solutions to abate those factors differ greatly Learn more.
Deaf advocate paves way for inclusive education in Nicaragua
With support from the USAID Aprendo y Emprendo project, Cheysi Smith is breaking down barriers to education for other students with disabilities and achieving her dreams of higher education. Learn more.
Guillermo Cespedes: Partnering with families for violence prevention
Crime and Violence Prevention Advisor Guillermo Cespedes discusses Creative's approach to using evidence and the strength of families to prevent violence among vulnerable youth. Learn more.
Pablo Maldonado: How Creative's Latin America legacy shapes today’s programs
COO Pablo Maldonado discusses Creative's history in and commitment to Latin America, evident in decades of successful programming and the company's own leadership team. Learn more.
Nicaragua: Technical education paves way for careers in medicine
When Nora had her son, she had to put her education on hold. But with help from a scholarship, she's pursuing a technical degree and working toward becoming a nurse in Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast. Learn more.
Honduras: Seeds of hope - Aiding farmers in the Dry Corridor
With support from a program called the Dry Corridor Alliance - PROSASUR, farmers have been introduced to water harvesting systems, irrigation and other tools and practices that will help them be more resilient in the face of climate extremes and other challenges. Learn more.
Honduras: Tipping the scales-Combating childhood malnutrition in the Dry Corridor
Children in the Dry Corridor region of Honduras are at increased risk of malnutrition due to the food insecurity associated with extreme climate. A project known as the Dry Corridor Alliance – PROSASUR is working with community volunteers to keep babies healthy and empower their mothers with knowledge to support their nutrition. Learn more.
Nicaragua: A father’s journey for success with technical education
With help from a project called Aprendo y Emprendo, Osmin traveled to Managua to pursue a technical career to provide a better life for his wife and young daughter. Learn more.
Nicaragua: Women break stereotypes to pursue technical careers
Two women in a male-dominated field, Soliange and Edith are determined to succeed and be an inspiration to others with help from a project called Aprendo y Emprendo. Learn more.
Nicaragua: Youth on the front lines of improving technical education
In Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast region, a unique project called Aprendo y Emprendo is working to improve access to quality technical education for at-risk youth. A group of scholarship winners and other community representatives have formed a Youth Advisory Council, which will give valuable feedback to the project and create a support network among peers. Learn more.
Honduras: Garifuna families use culture to prevent violence
Despite the relative isolation and calm of the Garifuna community, there are warning signs that Garifuna youth are not immune to the risk of becoming involved in gangs—a problem across much of the country. Meet the Guity family and see how a unique violence prevention program is drawing on traditional cultural strengths to support the family's two sons in reducing their risk for violence. Learn more.
Honduras: Strong families build safer communities
Teenage cousins Steven and Yuvini were determined to be at high risk for joining a gang based on an evidence-based risk assessment. But through a unique family-based violence prevention program, the boys and their family are working together to lower those risk factors for violence and build resilience. Learn more.
Honduras: Learning Microsoft in the barrio
Youth in Honduras’ most at-risk communities often have few opportunities to gain skills in technology. Through a partnership with Microsoft, Alianza Joven Honduras-USAID is bringing these opportunities to them, including the chance to get certified in tech skills valued by employers. Learn more.
Honduras: Dreaming my life
In Jader’s neighborhood, many youth grow up like him— without much hope for the future. Fortunately, a new approach called “The Challenge of Dreaming My Life” is helping them dream of a better future and chart a course to get there. Learn more.
Honduras: Discovering “positive masculinity”
Epidemic levels of crime and violence in Honduras are compounded by equally startling rates of gender-based violence. Through “masculinity workshops” Alianza Joven Honduras-USAID is engaging youth in discussions about harmful gender stereotypes and how to build up a positive masculinity. Learn more.
Honduras: Violence prevention belongs to everyone
Hand-in-hand over five years, the Alianza Joven Honduras-USAID project and its partners have laid the groundwork to sustain national and community-based efforts that improve the lives of at-risk youth and build stronger, more peaceful neighborhoods. Learn more.
El Salvador: Philharmonic orchestras transform youth into musicians, not crime statistics
In communities across El Salvador, music is helping hundreds of at-risk youth to steer clear of a life of gangs and crime. The philharmonic youth orchestras are part of the El Salvador Crime and Violence Prevention Project’s holistic approach to prevent crime and violence and spread opportunity. Learn more.
El Salvador: Safe spaces help communities reclaim gang-dominated space
On the outskirts of San Vicente, a new playground is bringing hope to a community once-plagued by crime and violence. The El Salvador Violence and Crime Prevention Project is working with communities through infrastructure projects that create safe spaces for youth and their families. Learn more.
El Salvador: From at-risk youth to model student
At age 14, Maria had a reputation as a troublemaker and was at risk of leaving school. But with support from a counselor and a unique program that identifies and works with at-risk youth and their families, Maria turned her life around. Learn more.
Honduras: The courage and vision for a violence-free country
Miriam Canales’s difficult childhood experiences imbued her with the ability to see the positive qualities in everything and everyone. With that perspective and a dedication to creating opportunity and hope for Honduran youth, she has stepped into neighborhoods affected by violence and transformed them into safer, more vibrant communities. Learn more.
El Salvador: A mayor for all, beyond political colors
Mayor Lupita Serrano is unrivaled when it comes to dedication, confidence and especially love for the city of Cojutepeque. Her tireless work to reduce crime and improve the lives of her citizens, including building seven youth Outreach Centers, has earned her the continued support of her people. Learn more.
Honduras: Together, volunteers work toward dream of violence-free Honduras
For youth in Honduras’ most violent neighborhoods, volunteers with Alianza Joven Honduras-USAID are a lifeline to opportunity and hope. At a volunteer retreat, volunteers discuss what inspires them, how they support each other and the change they hope to create. Learn more.
El Salvador: At-risk youth finds purpose preventing violence
Carlos knows the pressures facing youth in his neighborhood—in one of El Salvador’s most violent municipalities. Through his neighborhood Outreach Center, part of the USAID Crime and Violence Prevention Project, Carlos found hope and purpose as an outreach center volunteer and left a life on the streets behind. Follow his journey from at-risk youth to role model. Learn more.
Honduras: Smart private sector investments tackle violence
Companies around Honduras are realizing that one of the smartest investments they can make is right down the road in the country’s most at-risk neighborhoods. Lowering violence and bringing opportunity to youth is good for business and even better for the future of Honduras. Learn more.
Honduras: Burgers & business give at-risk Honduran youth hope
Jesus Lanza was heading down a bad path—involved in gangs and drugs—until he had a chance to learn the basics of business with Alianza Joven Honduras and the Chamber of Commerce. With training and a small grant, he turned his life around and turned his small kitchen into a booming burger enterprise to support his family. Learn more.
Honduras: Faith, hope and rollerblades for kids in Honduras
Can a pair of rollerblades be more powerful than drugs and gangs? Kids in one of the most dangerous cities in Honduras are strapping on skates to fight violence and show their community how young people can be a force for positive change. Learn more.
Honduras: Outreach centers, “hope in the storm” for Honduran youth
Amidst a storm of gang, drugs and violence, youth in at-risk neighborhoods are finding security, opportunity and hope at nearly 50 community outreach centers around Honduras. From English classes to sports and job training, these centers are preventing violence and changing lives. Learn more.
Honduras: Singer amplifies powerful peace message to fans
A microphone is a powerful tool, and Honduran pop singer Eduardo Umanzor is using his to bring music, fun and inspiration to the most at-risk communities. See how the sound of hope resonates across the country. Learn more.
Honduras: Targeted prevention brings kids back from the brink
Youth on the verge of joining violent gangs are the most at-risk and often the hardest to reach. Targeted secondary prevention gets to the heart of the problem, helping families and kids move away from the brink of violence. Learn more.
Panama: What’s Good for the Company is Good for the Community
Panama City—There are two Panamas: the rich, and the poor. Most people here live parallel lives. But a growing number of companies are getting involved in their communities—and reaping the benefits as these worlds combine. Learn more.
Panama: Youth find safety & opportunity at outreach centers
Kids in Panama don’t have it easy. Besides gangs, drugs and climbing violence they face a lack of opportunities for play and work. Creative’s Youth Outreach Centers provide a place where young people—even from opposing groups—can come to just be kids. They play games and sports, practice their computer and English skills, start small businesses and learn valuable skills for life. Watch how these centers are helping kids and communities in Panama City turn things around. Learn more.
PROJECTS
- Honduras – Proponte Más Secondary Violence Prevention ActivityFunded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the three-year Proponte Más project will identify ...
- Nicaragua – Technical Vocational Education and Training Strengthening for At-Risk YouthThe Technical Vocational Education and Training Strengthening for At-Risk Youth program will galvanize Nicaragua’s private ...
- Honduras – Alianza JovenHonduras has earned the unenviable status of having some of the most dangerous cities that ...
VIEW JOBS IN
STORIES

In El Salvador, 40 prevention tools and place-based focus create big changes for at-risk communities

Creative is pleased to announce the launch of the new USAID Crime and Violence Prevention Project in El Salvador

Donald Steinberg, Deputy Administrator for USAID during a recent visit to one of our Outreach Centers in Honduras. Check USAID's Impact Blog!
