From Streets to Smiles: Medellín’s Unlikely Clean-Up Crew Transforms City Center
Transforming Lives: Medellín’s Street Dwellers Find New Purpose
By Valentina Castaño.
Medellín’s city center, once a hub of neglect and despair, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The banks of the Medellín River, from the Macarena sector to the Puente del Mico, are being reclaimed by a group of unlikely heroes – the city’s street dwellers.
These individuals, once struggling to survive on the streets, are now working together to clean and beautify the area. Armed with orange overalls and a newfound sense of purpose, they are determined to restore their city to its former glory.
This initiative is part of a larger strategy by the Secretariat of Social Inclusion and Family to redefine the relationship between street dwellers and public spaces. By providing decent work and opportunities for socialization, the Secretariat aims to empower these individuals to take control of their lives and become active contributors to their community.
According to Sandra Sánchez, Secretary of Social Inclusion and Family, “We are bringing a significant strategy to beautify Medellín and to restore its public spaces. We are increasing the number of street educators to reach, above all, some points where the settlements of the population living on the street are and can persuade them to receive basic care.”
This approach has already shown promising results. Since the pandemic, the number of people living on the streets has doubled, but the Mayor’s Office has been working to strengthen intervention processes for the street population. The capacity of the Day Center has been increased, and the hours of service in the two Transitional Centers have been extended.
As a result, the service has increased by 131% so far this year, reaching 2,791 residents of the street. Additionally, the territorial team has been expanded from 25 to 108 people, creating intervention circuits in different areas to persuade and refer street dwellers to primary care centers.
One of the most significant challenges facing the city is the increasing number of people living on the streets. However, with the help of organizations like the Secretariat of Social Inclusion and Family, these individuals are being given a second chance to rebuild their lives.
Meet Yorleison Zabala, a member of the group of street dwellers working to restore cleanliness in the center of Medellín. After arriving displaced from Yarumal to Medellín, his family was divided, and he had to face the temptations of the big city alone.
“I was already part of a process with Inclusion, in fact, I had already reached the farms (the last level of the street dwellers component before re-socialization) but I had a conflict there with a colleague and I was expelled,” said Yorleison. “But here I am again because at the moment I have a good job and I don’t want to lose it, it’s very horrible to leave all the money that someone works in a place of vice or in things that are not positive for one.”
Duvan Mejía, another member of the group, shares a similar story. “Right now I feel very happy to be contributing a grain of sand to the city where I was born and raised. Also very grateful because I am transforming my life in a very positive way, leaving drugs and other negative behaviors aside. Thank you to the component for giving me the opportunity to move forward and be a person who contributes to society and does not take from it.”
These individuals, once struggling to survive on the streets, are now working together to create a better future for themselves and their community. As Yorleison so eloquently puts it, “We who live on the streets must also be aware that this is the place we live in and we have to get it beautiful so that Medellín looks much better.”
The Secretariat of Social Inclusion and Family is working tirelessly to provide these individuals with the support and resources they need to succeed. By working together, we can create a brighter future for all members of our community.