At just 19, Dayana Fuentes is building the kind of future many young people in Honduras dream about. She works as an accounting assistant at El Baratillo Ferretería, a large hardware and construction supply company in western Honduras. Her job allows her to pay for college and gain valuable professional experience, and it is a steppingstone toward her dream of working in finance for the Central Bank of Honduras.
But just a few years ago, that future felt far out of reach. Like many young people in her community, Dayana faced major challenges during her teenage years — especially after her mother had to leave home to find work. Dayana struggled to see a path forward.
“When my mom moved, it was really tough for me,” she says. “I was a teenager, and my emotions felt like a ticking time bomb. When I joined the [Lutheran World Relief] program, and they started teaching us about mental health, it helped me accept things as they were, stay motivated, grow as a person and keep moving forward. My life changed a lot after completing the program. I gained a new perspective and a different mindset.”
That turning point came when Dayana joined Creating Spaces for Youth Employability (CREE), a project that helped her transform uncertainty into opportunity.
Dayana embraces her mom.
Building Skills and Confidence Through CREE
Corus organization Lutheran World Relief launched the CREE project in western Honduras alongside our local partner Red Institutos Comunitarios (Red-ITC). Funded by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), CREE was designed to help young people build brighter futures close to home by combining job skills training, leadership development and mental health support.
The project integrates emotional well-being with career readiness, recognizing that young people cannot thrive at work if they are struggling internally. Through CREE, Dayana received training in business, leadership and technical skills, as well as guidance on emotional regulation and stress management. She participated in sessions focused on mental health and used EmpleandoMentes, a digital platform offering counseling, career resources and support networks.
“I think mental health is the most important thing for a person,” Dayana says. “If your mental health isn’t in good shape, it impacts your well-being, performance, interactions with others and relationships. I think it’s something we should always work on, to maintain our emotional balance and peace of mind, so we can perform better both in society and at work.”
Dayana Fuentes records inventory at El Baratillo, a large hardware store, in western Honduras.
From Internship to Career
The training Dayana received prepared her for the next big step: a two-month internship in the billing department at El Baratillo. Her supervisors were impressed by her initiative and commitment, and when a permanent accounting position became available, she was offered the job.
More than a year later, Dayana is thriving. She spends her days managing journal entries and company transactions, tasks she describes as “a bit like a game.” Her job allows her to support herself and continue her education, and she is now pursuing a degree online at a public university on weekends.
“My mom is really proud of me for juggling both work and school on my own,” Dayana says. “It’s also because of her that I stay focused on my studies and on earning that college degree. It’s something she would’ve liked for herself. Sadly, she couldn’t make that happen, but now I’m making it a reality. It would truly be a dream come true for both of us.”
Alicia Vargas supports Dayana Fuentes as they work at El Baratillo.
A Broader Impact on Youth and Communities
Dayana’s story reflects the broader impact of CREE, which supports more than 1,100 young people in western Honduras. The project aims to improve life skills, employability and community integration while addressing the root causes of migration. It connects youth to internships, job placements, scholarships and entrepreneurship opportunities, practical steps that help them build sustainable futures close to home.
The results speak for themselves. A total of 1,800 students accessed mental health and psychological first aid training. Fifty-five internships were created, with 45 leading to full-time employment. And companies like El Baratillo are seeing the difference.
“When young people work on their emotional side, their mental health, we consider this directly proportional to the quality of their performance,” says Alicia Vargas, the company’s human resources manager and a psychologist. “The young people who come here through the program may not have had work experience, but their life skills are much more developed. Their commitment is higher, and they’re better at solving conflicts and adapting to new environments.”
Dayana Fuentes proudly stands at her new job.
Investing in Mental Health for a Brighter Future
For many young people in Honduras, poverty, unemployment and migration pressures create barriers to education and work. Dayana’s journey shows what’s possible when that cycle is interrupted. With the right support, she has transformed emotional hardship into motivation, and uncertainty into purpose.
“The opportunity we were given opened many doors and gave us a wealth of knowledge,” she says. “I’m really grateful for the opportunity I got. If it weren’t for it, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”