Life is Precious

Comunilife’s unique Life is Precious™ program prevents suicide in young Latinas – the teen population with the highest rate of suicide attempt in the country. Life is Precious™ combines individual and group counseling, arts therapy, academic support, and nutritional and fitness activities. Psychiatric services are provided by partnering clinics.

LIP has three program sites – the South Bronx, Bushwick, Brooklyn, and Long Island City, Queens – which are warm and comfortable spaces, staffed by empathetic, strong women with a deep understanding for Latina culture, language, and challenges. LIP reaches young women at the highest risk for self-harm.

To date, more than 200 girls have gone through the program. Thanks to our efforts, they have improved academic performances – where once 50% of these young women were held back or dropped out of school, now 100% are being promoted on time. They have improved family relationships – finding the language, the support, and the approach with which to work out deep personal conflicts with parents and grandparents who struggle to understand what they are going through or what they need. They are making friends – finding solace in the company and support of girls who are going through the same battles that they are. They are feeling new pride in their bi-lingual, bi-cultural backgrounds.