**Project F and Border Youth Offer Support to Homeless and Migrant Women**
In observance of International Women’s Day, the Border Youth Collective, in partnership with the Project F Tactical Nurses of the Border, is providing free beauty services to women living on the streets and migrants this March 29th. This initiative aims to enhance their mental health and social reintegration.
As explained by Yenyeri Curiel, who handles logistics for Border Youth Collective, the event is a way to support vulnerable women by attending to their basic needs, offering sanitation assistance, legal support, and companionship. The focus of the event is to provide an environment where women can express and meet their emotional needs without fear of harassment or intimidation. This safe space emphasizes the importance of feeling cared for and beautiful, especially for women fleeing violence, organized crime, or seeking a better life.
Priscila Trujillo, a member of Tactical Nurses involved with Project F, described how their initiative offers make-up services to both men and women, supporting their emotional well-being and income opportunities. Men, in some cases, choose to get theatrical makeup for performances at traffic stops, providing them with income opportunities.
Project F has also succeeded in rescuing women from the streets and integrating them back into society by connecting them with women’s rehabilitation centers. This intervention has been vital, considering women are more susceptible to drug-induced psychiatric conditions and are often stigmatized as criminals. One notable success story involves a 19-year-old girl who was rehabilitated with the center’s help, transforming her life dramatically.
Curiel encouraged public support for these initiatives, emphasizing the need for civil associations to provide donations like makeup, feminine hygiene products, razors, and clothing. Ultimately, the availability of rehabilitation centers willing to accept patients is crucial for these operations.
The event, running from 10 am to 2 pm outside the Border Line Crisis Center near El Chaparral Bridge, offers haircuts, styling, makeup, and referrals to relevant services for women, girls, and children.
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**Additional Insights on Support for Women in Vulnerable Situations**
A recent push to address issues facing migrant populations highlights ongoing challenges. Mónica Ramírez, a migration advocate, stresses the importance of a binational agenda to effectively tackle migration-related issues. Critics of the CBP One program, implemented over a year ago, have flagged numerous inefficiencies that need addressing to improve its effectiveness. Furthermore, the National Migration Institute (INM) recently refuted claims of blocking entry to the Border Line Crisis Center, reinforcing their commitment to support refugees.
These developments underscore the need for robust, inclusive policies that prioritize the well-being of marginalized groups, ensuring they receive comprehensive assistance and care. As efforts continue, organizations like Border Youth Collective and Project F play a pivotal role in providing direct support and facilitating the reintegration of vulnerable women into society.