The youth center was originally presented to the Regiduría Municipal de Educación de Santa Maria Tlahuitoltepec (the educational department of Tlahui) in May of 2004 by two volunteers who work in the village, Annie Hintz and Javier Palomo. The project was immediately accepted and a space was donated by the Regiduría in the main square of the community. During the first weeks of July, students, members of the municipio (the local government) and the volunteers cleaned, painted and began the center.

A student of BICAP, Cirilo Vásquez Nuñez, designed the murals which lay upon the outside of the center and donated much of his time in drawing and painting them. The symbol to the right of the center is of the traditional ‘Rey Condoy’ spiritual, male figure or god of the Mixe people. The serpent in which he is secured represents the female goddess of the Mixes. The agave plant at the foot of the mural represents the earth, life and hardships of the people. The boy figure to the left of the center was Cirilo’s creation which shows a young boy who has cleverly changed newspapers into a hat while he rests upon the center’s name. The two murals present the importance of the Mixe tradition while acknowledging the significant changes occurring within the youth.

The center is currently sustained through the aid of the Municipio, volunteers and donations made by family and friends of Annie and Javier. The center is in a process of growth will be joining up with several organizations throughout Oaxaca and Mexico.