The Physical and Emotional Hardship of Economic Instability

In Argentina, our Franciscan missionaries are serving both urban and rural communities struggling with poverty, education access, and healthcare needs. The South American country is currently experiencing a period of worrisome social, political, and economic instability, and the poverty statistics are staggering. In 2024, over 38% of the population lived in poverty, a rate that included 50% of children younger than 14 years of age.

But the hardships that many families endure go beyond financial issues. Money cannot always ease the suffering related to the deterioration of family, community, and social bonds. Community centers are working to alleviate that suffering.

Building the Bonds of Community

The Fundación Franciscana is a group dedicated to strengthening Argentinian neighborhoods through local community sites. Franciscan Missions partnered with Fundación Franciscana to help three sites grow and thrive: La Teja (Merlo, Buenos Aires), Las Quintas (Río Cuarto, Córdoba), and San Juan Capital.

These sites, established between 2023 and 2024, assist vulnerable families through literacy programs, medical care, and economic development. They support the community by providing a place to come together and build social bonds.

Fundación Franciscana sites are critical spaces where families can feel solidarity with one another and benefit from programs that promote their full human flourishing. Annually, 336 individuals from 174 families directly benefit from the Fundación Franciscana sites through 16 weekly programs. There are an estimated 700 people – family members of those that participate in the programs – who are the indirect beneficiaries.

The Future of Fundación Franciscana Sites

In the Las Quintas neighborhood, the Santa Clara Center supports local families through women’s workshops, a playroom, academic support, and clothing fairs. The La Teja neighborhood in Buenos Aires is home to the San Cayetano Chapel with a literacy space, a playroom, and teams for counseling and social work. In the San Juan Capital, the “Construyendo Caminos” group supports the surrounding neighborhoods with spaces for education, a playroom, and youth programs.

By supporting these three sites, Franciscan Missions hopes to:

  • Register 50 new families to participate in the programs during 2026
  • Identify new needs for each community and rethink the 2026 programs
  • Train staff and volunteers to assist and measure impact on the community

Friars of the San Francisco Solano Province are guiding the project, connecting communities to the sites, and ensuring that the dignity of all is at the forefront. This project will reduce poverty, enhance education for children, and reach new families, with the hope that the sites continue to thrive and transform the communities.