Please enable JS

Sheltered Environments

What it is?

Each and every person can be part of and wander through the various Sheltered Environments, according to their identified needs for personal well-being, their unique circumstances, uncertainties, desire to get involved, or any other requests. By cultivating trust and a sense of belonging — as well as eliminating expulsion as a form of conflict resolution or conflict management — the chance of failure is mitigated, which helps womxn avoid commonly experienced re-victimization or secondary trauma.

Environments

The Cover

Caring and healing

The Powerful

Self-protection and strength

The Ivy

Community and neighborhood

The Howl

Participation and activism

The Bold

Production and entrepreneurship

Artisana

Arts and creativity

img

The Cover
A caring and healing environment

A space to cover basic needs: hot meals, washing machines and dryers, showers, wardrobes, access to computers and Internet, and a space for accompanied consumption. It’s a place to relax and unwind, with beds and lockers for safe-keeping. Self-care tools for health and well-being are also offered: natural cosmetics, hairdressing, yoga — all accompanied by specialized social and psychological care. Pets are welcome.

img

The Powerful
Building self-protection and strength

A meeting point between allies, which encourages solidarity and mutual support, where experiences, knowledge, and realities can be shared, as well as strategies for survival and protection. It reinforces the ‘Peer to Peer‘ approach that acknowledges womxn as the primary experts in their realities. Legal advice and support are provided, and training is given to help address the many situations of vulnerability: drug information, overdose prevention and management, feminist self-defense, care resources network, among others.

img

The Ivy
A community and neighborhood context

Community texture and neighborhood alliances are key for these womxn, who participate in and lead initiatives that enrich the neighborhood and unite the diverse realities that inhabit it. Collective and inclusive spaces are built that improve coexistence, break stigmas, and increase feelings of security. The Pa’ella on Fridays has become a weekly meeting place, where womxn can also take part in the radio space and urban art activities.

img

The Bold
Production and entrepreneurship

For participants who face impeding labor markets, we promote professional merit, entrepreneurship and satisfactory job opportunities. Skills are enhanced, self-sufficiency and self-management are promoted, inspiring personal growth, stimulating job options and workplaces with regular and stable income, both inside and outside of Metzineres.

img

The Howl
Participation and activism

Activism and the fight against situations of exclusion becoming lingering afflictions; actions of awareness, protests, demonstrations are encouraged. Under the motto "Nothing about us, without us", they attend conferences and seminars, organize informative talks, and participate in the development of policies and plans that — directly or indirectly — condition the realities of womxn and their communities. They work in a network, side by side, with local, national, and international organizations.

img

Artisana
Arts and creativity

Culture is consumed and produced through fun and creativity: dance, theater, music, photography, painting. Womxn can experiment with multiple artistic expressions in workshops, take part in organizing the neighborhood festivities, enjoy good work, and be part of a multitude of parties. They never say no to a good circus, concert, or show.