CREATING OPORTUNITIES FOR LATIN AMERICANS & LATINO IMMIGrANTS TO THRIVE
Latin American cities face many challenges, such as rapid urbanization, poverty, violence, inequality, migration, climate change, and political and economic instability, all exacerbated by ineffective municipal governance. Without a comprehensive and strategic response, these problems will likely lead to a future marked by increased violence and inequality, potentially intensifying migration flows and further straining North-South relations. Our mission is to change that reality.
OUR STRATEGY
We focus on six key tasks to foster a collaborative approach aimed at creating the conditions necessary to transform fragile cities into SHALOM Cities. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and creating clusters for urban transformation, we leverage local resources and drive sustainable investments that result in community-led change. The initiatives we support are designed to transform individual lives, equip leaders, and strengthen organizations, ultimately enhancing their capacity to make a lasting difference in their communities and cities.
Identify and invest in local leaders, ministries and organizations
We identify and invest in leaders, churches, ministries, and local organizations in key cities that have demonstrated a commitment to the holistic transformation of their fragile communities. This includes those working with displaced and migrant populations or using innovative methods to support holistic urban development.
Advance the Missio Dei and the Camino Azul, and Encourage Relationship Building
We work from an urban theology and a missiological paradigm based on the Missio Dei, uniting Christians from diverse backgrounds in the mission of bringing Shalom to the city. We offer training on the Missio Dei to key leaders, present the Camino Azul strategy, and foster friendship and trust among leaders and organizations, reinforcing the idea that the kingdom of God is built with friends.
Strengthen the Capacity of our Partners to Incubate and Grow Successful Initiatives
Community transformation occurs when local people and organizations increase their capacity to generate lasting changes. Therefore, we support ministries and partner organizations with training, coaching, strategic consulting, funding, leadership care, and organizational capacity building. Additionally, we incubate innovative interventions in fragile communities, enhancing their ability to adopt best practices, incorporate aspects of the Camino Azul into their work, and grow in their capacity to scale their impact and effect lasting change.
Cultivate collaboration among our allies
We promote networking among our partners, to encourage shared learning, build strong ties, and tackle common challenges. We aim to establish clusters for urban transformation by building broad-based coalitions, made up of NGOs, faith communities, businesses and schools linked to city and government structures. The goal for these alliances is to promote effective community transformation, better urban development policies, combat corruption, and improve urban governance, thereby scaling the Shalom Cities Initiative.
Multiply successful interventions
We encourage knowledge sharing among our partners and document effective strategies for their replication and scaling in other communities and cities in Latin America and among Latino immigrants in the U.S. We also work with key leaders and organizations in various cities to increase our impact, forming city-wide and national coalitions committed to transforming fragile cities into thriving Shalom Cities.
Conduct community-level and citywide research
We conduct community-level and city-wide research to gain a deeper understanding of the cities where we work, mapping local assets, producing data on urban fragility and migration, and developing evidence-based interventions. We share this information with key stakeholders, such as multilateral foundations, investors, and policymakers, to influence urban development and include fragile communities in the city planning and development processes.
Where we Work
Since 2021, we have invested in projects and come alongside organizations in Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Guatemala, with a special focus on Mexico, Colombia and El Salvador. We also work with the Latino immigrant community in Huntsville, AL, the headquarters of Camino Alliance USA.
KEY CITIES
We are concentrating our efforts especially on strategic cities and metro areas that meet our priorities. Our first four key cities, where we are making a long-term investment, include a world class city, capital city, and two regional urban centers:
- The world’s fifth largest metro area
- Over 25 million inhabitants
- Close to 10 million live in fragile urban areas
Mexico City, Mexico
- Capital city of El Salvador
- Over 2 million residents
San Salvador, El Salvador
- Fourth-largest city in Colombia
- Almost 4 million inhabitants
- Home to 150,000 immigrants from Venezuela
Barranquilla, Colombia
- Over 500,000 residents
- Regional Tech & Government Services Hub
- Close to 40,000 Latinos
Huntsville, Alabama
MORE CITIES COMING
Our goal is to make a lasting impact by partnering over many years with 7-10 organizations and ministries in each city. We aim to enhance their organizational capacity, help them increase their holistic impact, and foster greater collaboration among them to jointly address challenges that would be overwhelming for any organization to tackle alone. Through city-wide initiatives that promote the well-being and Shalom of their communities, mitigate migration, and integrate underprivileged urban areas into their cities, we aim to create safer, more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban environments.
THE CAUSES WE SUPPORT
We are dedicated to making a lasting impact in Latin America and among Latino immigrants by focusing on long-term strategies rather than short-term fixes. Recognizing that this requires a holistic approach, we support a variety of causes that align with our mission and make a positive impact on children & youth, urban poor residents, women, families, vulnerable populations, migrants, leaders and entrepreneurs. Through our strategic partnerships and thoughtful grants and financial investments, we strive to address key issues that help communities to thrive.
Explore the causes we support and join us on the journey to build a better future for Latin Americans.
Spiritual Transformation
- Prayer Movements that bring Unity to the Church in a City
- Holistic Church Planting and Disciple-making
- Equipping Churches to practically serve their Neighborhoods
- Children and Youth Evangelism & Discipleship
Leadership Development
- Practical Training and Leadership Care for Community, Youth and Faith Leaders
- Missional and Theological Training for Urban Pastors and Emerging Leaders
- Vocational and Technical Training for Young Adults
- Executive-level Training and Networking for Movement Leaders
Community Development
- Community Organizing and Upgrading
- Community Health Programs
- Holistic Programs for Children and Youth
- Crime & Violence Prevention & Improving Neighborhood Security
People & Family-Centered Change
- Access to Life-Enhancing Education for all Age Groups
- Trauma Recovery & Emotional Health Programs
- Domestic Violence Prevention, Marriage Enrichment & Counseling Programs
- Assistance to Vulnerable Groups
Economic Development
- Community-managed Savings Initiatives
- Financial Literacy and Stewardship Education
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship Programs
- Community-driven Food Security Programs
Systemic Change
- Urban Research and Mapping Initiatives
- Broad-based Coalitions and Citywide Collaborations
- Anticorruption, and Public Integrity Initiatives
- Advocacy to influence Urban Policy & Improve Urban Governance
Creation Care
- Eco Tourism & Creation Care
- Bioconstruction & Eco-friendly waste management
- Reforestation & Enviromental Upgrading
- Sustainable Urban Farming
Innovative Urban Development Approaches
- Land rights & Tenure Security
- Nearshoring & Tech Initiatives
- Low-Cost Housing Solutions
- Urban Planning & Design Solutions