Mi Valedor empowers Mexico City’s street community through art
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In Mexico City, the organization Mi Valedor supports people experiencing homelessness, called “valedores”, by providing resources and opportunities to express themselves through art and publication.
Eleven years ago, Mi Valedor began publishing a street paper by and for valedores, allowing them to earn income by reselling the magazines. When the pandemic made this model unsustainable, Mi Valedor expanded its services to include free meals, laundry, medical care, and art workshops.
Alberto Mata Hernández, a former street resident, found stability through Mi Valedor. He accessed services like showers and a safe place to store belongings, then joined a drawing workshop. Now, he creates his own zine, “Pata de Perra,” to sell alongside Mi Valedor’s magazine. Other valedores, like Filemón Bazán Leal, have seen their art displayed in prominent institutions such as Mexico City’s Centro Nacional de las Artes.
Today, valedores primarily sell their art at cultural events and fairs, rather than on the streets. Mi Valedor currently supports around 37 people who live in stable housing, but the organization prioritizes rehabilitation and providing a path forward for those who want it, relying on donations and volunteers to continue its work.
