Cancún’s New Community Centers: A Lifeline for Unsupervised Kids!

Throughout 2025, the state's Family Development Agency (DIF) plans to open four community centers as part of the Pilares program. The program is designed to support unsupervised children, often referred to as "latchkey kids", in the northern region of the state.

Verónica Lezama, president of the state DIF, outlined that these centers will be modeled after a successful project initiated by Claudia Sheinbaum during her tenure as the head of the Government of Mexico City. The centers will cater to children and young people between the ages of six and 16. Lezama highlighted that the first center is already operational in the municipality of Benito Juárez, in Villas Otoch, serving 120 young people.

The program primarily targets children of parents working long hours in the tourism and commercial sector, who often find themselves alone at home. Lezama noted that around 80 percent of parents work eight to 12 hours a day in these sectors, leaving their children unsupervised. The first center was strategically located in Villas Otoch, an area known for high crime rates and violence.

Lezama announced plans to open another center in Cancún's region 234 this year, with additional centers in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Mahahual. Each center will feature a playroom and a community dining area, providing one meal per day. The centers will also offer recreational, cultural, and sports activities, as well as psychological support services. Parents will also have access to counseling and therapy sessions.

Lezama emphasized the importance of these centers, stating, "A six-year-old child cannot be alone, nor should an 11 or 12-year-old be responsible for their younger siblings." She pointed out that children left alone are vulnerable to numerous dangers, including the risk of falling prey to organized crime.