English Title

Abstract

Traditional viewpoints in Puerto Rico often conceive and perpetuate the belief that youngsters‘ opinions are less valuable in society. Many communities, non-profit organizations and other entities exclude their youngest members from the planning and implementation phases of events and projects. Despite these exclusionary practices that characterize many organizations, some community-based groups employ more participatory approaches. For example, the Center for Urban, Communitarian and Entrepreneurship Action (CAUCE for its Spanish acronym) from the University of Puerto Rico, along with leaders from the Venezuela Community in Río Piedras, have been working on the implementation of a project that seeks to develop young leaders and integrate them in various community initiatives. As part of this project, a group of young residents known as Las Mega Estrellas de VZ (Venezuela‘s Mega Stars) have been involved in different events, including the painting of a mural that now decorates the community‘s main meeting center. This paper seeks to document the voices and experiences of those youngsters who have been involved in the planning and creation of this project. This paper also seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of opening participatory spaces among the youngest members of society. Through the implementation of these strategies, this demographic sector of society can become more active in the development of tactics geared at reclaiming their rights as citizens. In that sense, this research paper is a valuable tool for Social Workers involved in the use of art as a methodology for community organization and the integration of youngsters to local projects.