Strengthening the Bonds of Chicano Youth (El Proyecto de Nuestra
Juventud) is a comprehensive, multilevel, community-based, and
culturally appropriate program designed to meet the prevention
needs of rural Chicano youth in Central Arizona who demonstrate
high-risk characteristics of substance abuse. The program is
rooted in a family-oriented approach that is based on Mexican-
American culture, values, and principles. The project was
conceived and implemented by the Pinal Hispanic Council, a
minority nonprofit organization based in Eloy, Arizona. The
target population served by the project included 450 high-risk
youth (323 female, 127 male) in three age groups (9–11 years
old, 12–14 years old, and 15–16 years old), who were residents
of low-income housing and students at the elementary, junior
high, and senior high schools. Availability of alcohol and
drugs, attitudes favorable to drug use, negative peer
influences, and poor family management were the risk factors
used for referral to the project interventions.