Ricardo Fernandez, from the Boys and Girls Club, presents during a workshop with Lisa Farķas from the Mother Daughter Program

The Boys & Girls Club of Edcouch-Elsa and Niños y Niñas Community Development, Inc. joined together to help the youth in the community develop their capacity through the use of technology, while strengthening the two organizations.

Organizational strengthening activities included leasing a building for a new Center in the Monte Alto community, numerous fundraising activities and development of a program brochure.

Community strengthening activities included the development of an Edcouch-Elsa alumni database, and the holding of a Day of Remembrance to commemorate the walkout by local Mexican-American high school students in 1968 in search of better educational opportunities.

By working from within, both organizations have had an impact on the communities in which they work. Access to all types of technology has increased in local communities, which has in turn empowered youth with a new mastery of technology skills. By increasing resources and creating a plan for sustainability, they have created an organization with a stronger membership and an increased local profile and identity.

Finally, they have decreased the sense of isolation on the part of people in the Delta and increased pride in the local community, resulting in an increasing number of college-educated graduates choosing to stay in the region or otherwise invest in the communities.