Elijo ser cambio: Conversatorio de Artistas Plásticos & Subasta Silente (mar. 14, 2026)
The Red por los Derechos de la Niñez y Juventud de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Children and Youth Rights Network) was founded in Juncos, Puerto Rico, by social worker and human rights advocate Marcos Santana Andújar. Inspired by a deep commitment to dignity, protection, and the well-being of children, the organization has grown over the years as a collective response to the challenge of building a country where all children and youth can live free from violence.
The Network is an organization dedicated to preventing, addressing, and eradicating child and youth abuse in Puerto Rico through a range of innovative, evidence-based programs. Through its service ecosystem model, it drives the systemic change necessary to eliminate child maltreatment through three main programmatic components: direct services to children, youth, and families; advocacy to transform public policy; and training and technical assistance to strengthen the systems that serve children. All of its work is guided by a clear purpose: working every day so that all children can live full, safe lives, free from violence.
To prevent and eliminate child maltreatment in Puerto Rico through our service ecosystem model.
Child maltreatment is a human rights issue that limits the potential and fulfillment of thousands of children and youth in Puerto Rico.
We implement programs and education to eradicate child abuse before it occurs, ensuring safe environments for all.
We provide resources and support to families to strengthen their bonds and prevent unnecessary separations safely.
We offer specialized services to heal trauma in youth survivors of violence, driving their well-being and empowerment.
We drive access to opportunities and tools that strengthen financial self-sufficiency, enabling every household to achieve lasting stability and a prosperous future.
Our founder, Marcos Santana Andújar, began developing the organization in Juncos, Puerto Rico, driven by the vision of building a community response to prevent violence against children and strengthen opportunities for children and youth.
Assemblies and reflections held with a group of committed leaders on the issues of shelters and child protection
La Red de Albergues, Instituciones y Centros para Menores was officially registered in the Department of State under the laws of the government of Puerto Rico in 2014, with the purpose of providing technical assistance, joint funding proposals to improve services to children in shelters, and advocacy on behalf of children.
La Red reaches an impact of services to 2,500 children living with violence and was part of the team that drafted the National Plan for the Prevention of Abuse.
La Red integrates other organizations, expanding its membership and consolidating itself as the most coordinated network for the care and prevention of child abuse. An alliance was established with Johnson & Johnson to create computer labs for children in shelters, which is still active today.
Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, La Red established itself as the leading and most critical organization in the recovery of the child protection system, including shelters, foster homes, and other childcare spaces across the island. The organization led multi-sectoral recovery efforts and forged strategic alliances with the government and other entities to drive post-disaster transformation. This experience was systematized and led to the creation of the first set of recommendations for child protection during emergencies or natural disasters in Puerto Rico.
La Red convened the first roundtable of key stakeholders for change, a collaborative space that included representatives from the government, the private sector, and community and faith-based organizations. The goal was to initiate the transformation of the child welfare system through various strategies, including the proposal for a new welfare law, the holistic protection of children, and support for families.
That year, we also formally changed our name to La Red por los Derechos de la Niñez y la Juventud de Puerto Rico.
Launch of the Youth Advocacy Academy to help youth transform public policy and draft their own bills.
Inauguration of the Casa Ramón Alternatives Center in Juncos, the first program to promote housing for homeless youth in Puerto Rico. In response to the earthquakes, La Red organizes emergency relief efforts in towns in the south of Puerto Rico. With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, La Red advocates for the reopening of school cafeterias and establishes its Community Kitchen in Juncos.
La Red established an Early Childhood Program focused on supporting the education and holistic development of boys and girls from birth to age five, through a federal grant awarded through Head Start funds.
Restructuring of mission: To prevent and mitigate child abuse in Puerto Rico through innovative programs, changes in public policy, and training and technical assistance.
Due to its public policy strategy, La Red secured the approval of a new child welfare law.
La Red inaugurated the Two-Generation Center (Centro Dos Generaciones) as a unifying strategy for its service ecosystem model, expanded the Early Childhood Program to the municipality of Juncos, and launched Techo Joven—a three-story building located in urban Río Piedras that offers temporary shelter and support services for youth at risk of homelessness.
La Red inaugurated Casa Elizabeth, a specialized program to support women aged 18 to 30 in securing safe housing and support services for survivors of domestic violence, and expanded its reach to the municipality of Ponce. Additionally, the organization launched the Center for Integration, Coordination, Support, and Family Referrals (CiCAF), an innovative space that integrates advanced technology and ergonomic elements designed to eliminate barriers and facilitate greater access to services for the children, youth, and families supported by our organization, as well as those in need. This new center will also reduce duplication and maximize resources, offering holistic care to the families, children, and youth we serve.
