The Working Boys’ Center focuses on tackling poverty as a spiritual problem and considers the formation of a Family of Families as the foundation of its work. Therefore, the WBC serves the working boys (and girls) and their entire families, providing meals, job training, literacy, day care, education, and basic services (shower/running water) to over 2000 families, to systemically grapple with Ecuador’s epidemic of street children. WBC’s commitment to entrepreneurialism, offering training in micro-entreprise areas ranging from the on-site beauty parlor and bakery to carpentry and mechanics, coupled with a focus on character building among families makes it a unique agent for social change.
Volunteers are involved in all aspects of the WBC services and play a key role in assisting the Ecuadorian staff with services to families. Volunteers work in a variety of areas including the day care center, accredited school education program, vocational training, small business management, and home building. Though most volunteers teach, no background in education is required. Volunteers with specific training in the trades or business may focus their volunteer experience in the businesses and trades run by the WBC.
Most volunteer experiences are for one to two years and begin in August of every year. Volunteers typically work at both WBC sites in Quito. In Sept. – June, WBC can accept volunteers for shorter periods of three months.
Volunteers live on-site in group housing. Must be 21 and over and display commitment.