At each of our shelters, we provide a safe, temporary home for unaccompanied minors and work to efficiently determine a safe next step for the minor. Within 24-hours of arrival, a minor is assigned a case manager who collaborates with family members to identify a suitable sponsor for the minor. If a family member can’t...
At Southwest Key Programs, we are proud of our work and eager to discuss our experience providing essential care and services to unaccompanied minors who have fled their home countries to seek a better life in the United States. There is no substitute for seeing our work first hand and shelter tours provide important opportunities...
During cold winter months, our amazing partners help keep our mission warm. This past winter, Junior League of Austin, took things a step further by working with our Adult Services Coordinator, Astrid Duenas and Zenaida Martinez, Blue Cross Blue Shield partner to donate winter coats to our East Austin College Prep students. Through a community...
Brothers Samuel and Diego, 14 and 16 years old, came to the United States from Guatemala. While they were in the care of another shelter, they experienced two failed reunifications that left them both feeling hopeless and upset. They thought they were never going to be unified with a sponsor....
While the winter holidays are best known to be a time of good tidings and joy, they can be stressful for families who may be struggling or are living paycheck to paycheck. Southwest Key Programs has helped to connect families with their own Christmas Angel who could help to provide gifts and ease the stress...
Sofia learned so much during her first field trip with Casa Campbell. She arrived at the shelter a few days before and had since been looking forward to the special outing with her peers to Ballet Arizona’s “The Nutcracker” at Symphony Hall. With the support and collaboration of Free Arts Arizona, 50 children in Southwest...
“The best part of my job is seeing the changes we’ve been able to help put in motion. It can feel like you might not have an impact when you’re helping these kids turn their lives around, but when they reach back out and tell us about their successes it makes it all worth it.”...
Demarion came to Southwest Key Programs experiencing issues with drugs, school and gang-affiliated friends leading him down the wrong path. The pressure from all of these issues was weighing heavily on him and he began making poor choices and wasn’t on track to graduate from high school....
Martha arrived at Casa Kokopeli just two months before her 18th birthday. During the intake process, staff learned that Martha spoke an indigenous dialect. She had limited ability to communicate in Spanish or English and was provided a translator. After the first few days of her stay, she demonstrated some unusual behaviors that indicated she...
During the holidays, Southwest Key Programs works to ensure all of the youth in our care enjoy special celebrations, activities and traditional holiday meals. Staff at our shelters take extra care to celebrate various cultural traditions with the children during this time of year, such as La Posada, Noche Buena and Dia del Los Reyes....