SCOUT MOVEMENT ADVOCATE STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES IN EL SALVADOR

Growing up in San Salvador, El Salvador, Mercedes Navarrete showed an interest in sports from a young age. However, when she joined the scout movement, at age 15, she fully realized the positive impact sports can have on human development. Mercedes now volunteers with the organization more than 10 years after joining herself. Mercedes knows that sports and activity-based programs like these can serve as a catalysts to improve girls’ confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth, just like they did for her.

Professionally, Mercedes serves as communications coordinator for Glasswing International, a non-profit organization in El Salvador that addresses poverty and violence through education and health-based programming. Rooted in her passion for strengthening communities, Mercedes hopes to expand the reach of the organization’s programs and to learn unique methods for reaching underserved populations. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 67% of women and girls in El Salvador have experienced some type of violence but only 6% of crimes are reported to police.

For GSMP: Empowering Women through Sports 2019, Mercedes will be mentored by Beverly J. Smith, Vice President for Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and her team in New York City.