Cordoba, Argentina is home to nearly 2 million people. It's easy to get lost. Cordoba's teenagers struggle to find their identity, acceptance, and love. As you look around you can see that Córdoba is filled with buildings, apartments, and houses, but for teenagers it's hard to find a home.

Some of the biggest problems facing teens today include the lack of a solid home life and loneliness. As some teens explain:

"It's not just the drugs, but problems at home because parents are separated and that's when they start drugs or dropping out of school."

Which then leads the teens to leave home in search of something more.

"I'm far away from my family, more than 1,500 kilometers and... I'm alone here."

Without a home, teenagers begin searching for acceptance and belonging in other places.

For most teenagers, forming part of a social group comes at a great cost. Being part of a group brings new dangers."8 or 9 out of every 10 teenagers do drugs." The desire to fit in leads to high risk sexual behavior. The girls are the most vulnerable. Women are considered prizes to be won and discarded.

So many teens are still searching for a home.

There are 10 major high schools within a 10 block radius of Centro Crecer. There's at least one place in the city of Cordoba where teens can find safety and love.

Martin's Story:

Since 2003, I lived with my Mom, then my Dad, back with my mom, and now with my uncle. Every time there was a reason: I didn't register for school, because my Mom's boyfriend was an alcoholic, so I went to my Dad's.  I didn't get along with my Dad's girlfriend, so I stayed in a room that was around the corner from my Dad's house and then I went back to my Mom's house. My mom got pregnant, and the guy never showed up again after that.

If I think about what would've happened if I hadn't come here [to the Cordoba Youth Project], I would have sought acceptance through smoking, partying, or getting into trouble. Before coming here, I had no idea why I was alive, I didn't know why I was here on earth. I think my real family is the church.I'm not alone, ya know? I'm so happy to be here. They make me feel like I belong. I feel loved.

Leadership:

Sasha Rasmussen grew up in a broken home and early in his life he experienced God's grace and love.

Since high school, Sasha has wanted to help kids find those things for their lives as well. That desire led him to Córdoba, Argentina to start working with Centro Crecer. It was while he was there that he saw the great need teens have in their lives. Also, while he was in Cordoba he met and married Maria Silvia.

Maria Silvia's parents came to Christ when they were given a Bible during a difficult time in their life.  Her Dad began to read the book of John and found his friend and Savior in Jesus Christ.  Maria Silvia accepted the love and forgiveness of Christ when she was six attending a Sunday School class.  She has worked extensively in the children's ministry in the churches she attended before coming to Centro Crecer, and now to works with the Adolescent ministry. Maria Silvia studied medicine at the University of Cordoba and graduated with her medical degree in October of 2005 and recently completed her residency.

Sasha and Maria Silvia are now working to provide a spiritual and emotional home for the young people in Cordoba.

Needs: Property for Youth Center ($750,000).