Pablo Lopez-Active and Purposeful

25th Anniversary

Mi Voz
Zulma Malpica
Pablo Lopez
Rocío Ronquillo
Pastor Juan Aguayo and
Father Tom
Merrill
Marlon Ferrey

Crisis Line: 651.772.1611

Mi Voz

Pablo Lopez-Active and Purposeful

Pablo Pablo Lopez, an eighteen-year-old Ecuadorian, came to the United States six months ago. In that short time, he has accomplished quite a bit: managing studies as a senior at El Colegio Charter School in Minneapolis, participating in a peer education program, and serving as Youth Producer of our youth video.

Last fall Pablo attended an informational meeting about the video because a teacher suggested it might interest him. Aware of his busy schedule and not expecting to get involved, Pablo went to the meeting and met Claudia Pineda, Casa de Esperanza's Youth Initiatives Specialist, and Carmen González, our Education Manager. After hearing about the purpose of the project-to educate Latino youth about healthy relationships-Pablo signed on as part of the youth advisory group.

In preparing for the video, the group discussed issues that affect relationships among Latino youth: communication, violence, homophobia, religion, and sexism. Pablo's hope is that the video will make a "huge difference" in young Latinos' lives. He says that teens are like "clay"-ready to be shaped and molded-and will learn "what a healthy relationship is" as well as the effects of violence in a relationship.

It is also important to Pablo that the video demonstrate the richness of Latino cultures: there are many cultures, accents, and colors of skin. "Americans think we are all Mexicans. . . . we don't eat tortillas in Ecuador!"

The youth advisory group meets with Claudia and Carmen every Friday. Each person has responsibilities to accomplish during the week. Pablo participated in discussions that shaped the video, has worked on the script, and plans to act in the production.

Pablo was involved in youth projects in his home country. He worked with a group that proposed laws affecting teenagers and on a national forum for teenagers that prepared youth for political activism.

Pablo also has been a member of Juventud Viva, a peer sex education program sponsored by La Escuelita and Planned Parenthood. He recently gave a presentation to Latino students at Southwest High School.

When asked what readers of Abriendo Puertas should know about the video project, Pablo quickly responded, "that Casa de Esperanza is making this video possible. It's not the creation of Casa de Esperanza; it's the people that are doing it."