Juvenile detention center inaugurates new facility for teen mothers

The Zurquí Juvenile Formation Center in San Luis de Santo Domingo de Heredia, north of San José, has inaugurated a new facility where teen mothers who have been ordered to detention at the center can raise their young children in a more welcoming environment.

A private-sector partnership led 70 volunteers from the Costa Rican offices of food and beverage group Mondelēz International to work on the preparation of the new center, which, according to a statement from the company, “allows the teen mothers and their children to exchange cells for a cozier space.” The new facility has a living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry area, a garden and games.

Mondelēz International also donated 24 computers to the Formation Center’s library and made improvements to the library and sports facilities.

The center is home to 93 minors including 12 girls, the statement said.