The Yucatan Education Project (YEP) supports the vocational education of Isla Mujeres and Yucatan youth so that they can have meaningful, financially viable careers.

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An Audience with Pope Francis

In February 2023 our team was fortunate enough to gain an audience with Pope Francis. During our time at the Vatican, we presented our progress, plans and vision for the future of the Universidad Sacre Cuore Isla Mujeres.

YEP Founder Jack Timmons accompanied Padre Raul, Presidenta Athena – Mayor of Isla Mujeres, the administrative team and supporters of the Universidad.

His grace gave us his blessing and wished us success in our ongoing endeavors to bring education to those in need. It was truly an incredible experience.

Our Vision

To create an awareness among the population that education is a viable alternative for getting ahead in life.

Yearly ~ 300 students begin high school but only 51 finish.
Students quit school to work, to make money or because their families can’t pay for school.
Higher quality local Jobs are taken by residents of Cancun. Local kids don’t have the skills.
Approximately 70% of Isla Mujeres workforce travels daily from Cancun to work.

Island graduation rates

Only half of the students finish K-8 and attend high school.
Students also drop out because they have no aspirations for college or higher paying careers.

No Higher education available

It costs 84 pesos (approx. $4) to get to Cancun and back plus transportation and food.
Minimum wage in Mexico is only 88 pesos per day.
Poorer families can’t afford to leave the Island, leaving them with no access to education.

Education options are needed

There are only six K-8 and two high schools on the island.
No vocational schools exist on the Isla
A University accessible to students on the Isla who want to acquire applicable skills that lead to solid employment is a necessity.