COFOA Leaders Hold Gangs/Violence Workshop in Canton, El Salvador

In September, COFOA San Pedro Nonualco leaders held a third workshop at the Canton Center Community School in rural Canton La Comunidad on ways to prevent violence, attended by 150 parents and students.

The meeting was part of COFOA’s Strategy and Dialogue Table, which involves key authorities and institutions including COFOA leaders, city government, the Health Unit, schools, churches, and ADESCOS  (Neighborhood Associations of Community Development) that has put together a monthly series of workshops to create a culture and language of peace and eradicate violence. In 2012, COFOA leaders in San Pedro Nonualco served over 2,000 residents with these workshops.

COFOA leaders are committed to continue a dialogue across all sectors of the community to build relationships that result in a community that does not allow violence. The September workshop focused on gang activity and local youth gang involvement. Parents asked that they have assistance from mental health specialists to improve their ability to communicate effectively with their children, especially teens, around these issues.