The Department of Social Welfare of the Arrecife City Council, directed by Maite Corujo, is launching for the first time Conciliatory Afternoons, a pioneering project in the municipality aimed at responding to one of the greatest needs of families: to reconcile work life with the care of children once the school day is over.
The service, free and with an initial 60 places, will start on September 16 and will continue throughout the school year, with afternoon hours, from Monday to Friday, in different socio-cultural spaces of Arrecife that have courts and outdoor areas, to ensure a suitable, safe and enriching environment.
Conciliatory Afternoons was born with a clear objective: to prevent children from being alone at home or spending entire afternoons unsupervised on the street. Through this resource, children from 3 to 12 years old will have an educational, affective and socially safe space, where they can do their schoolwork, participate in sports, creative and coexistence activities, as well as enjoy healthy snacks in the company of other children and guided by a multidisciplinary team of professionals in psychology, education and children's leisure.
Councilor Maite Corujo stresses the importance of this initiative and emphasizes that "this project is much more than an extracurricular activity. It is a real tool to support parenting and family reconciliation. We offer a safe environment for children and, at the same time, peace of mind for their mothers and fathers, who know that their children are well cared for while they fulfill their work obligations. With Conciliatory Afternoons we provide solutions to everyday problems that affect many families."
This project is a direct response to everyday situations that affect many families. It prevents minors from staying home alone, with the risks that this may generate, and provides them with a space of reference to grow emotionally, socially and educationally at a key stage in their lives. At the same time, it offers a break to working parents, especially those who face parenting alone or have fewer resources and support, and reinforces equal opportunities.
The Department of Social Welfare not only promotes a pioneering service in Arrecife, but also projects it as a replicable model in other municipalities of the island. The initiative combines three key axes: education, sports and social welfare, thus consolidating the municipal commitment to a more just, conciliatory and egalitarian city.
Maite Corujo also wanted to acknowledge the collaboration of the Councilor for Culture, Abigail González, whose support "has been key to being able to have the socio-cultural centers throughout the year." "This project would not be possible without coordination between areas. Thanks to the joint work with Culture, we have managed to ensure that children can have stable, accessible and adequate spaces in which to carry out all the activities throughout the year," Corujo emphasizes.
The program is primarily aimed at families linked to Social Welfare and the remaining places will be awarded in order of registration. Applications may be submitted between September 4 and 8, through the online form available at the following link.