The LAYC Family of Organizations is a network of youth centers, schools and social enterprises with a shared commitment to helping youth become successful and happy young adults, with the skills they need to succeed educationally, professionally, and personally.
Our Organization
Youth Centers
We have been operating our flagship DC site in Columbia Heights since 1974. In 2005, we began offering youth programs and services in Prince George's and Montgomery counties and now operate offices in Silver Spring, Langley Park and Riverdale, MD.
Public Charter Schools
The Next Step/El Próximo Paso Public Charter School was founded in 1996, offering teen parents and other young people who have dropped out or have never been to school in this country a flexible, individualized education that can include instruction in English, high school equivalency courses (GED), and work experience.
The Latin American Montessori Bilingual (LAMB) Public Charter School was founded in 2001 and provides a dual language immersion environment for children aged 3-12, where students learn a second language -- either English or Spanish -- in a stimulating multicultural environment.
The YouthBuild Public Charter School, which opened in 2005, offers high school equivalency classes (GED), construction training, and leadership development for youth ages 16-24 who have dropped out of traditional high schools.
Social Enterprises
We operate two Ben & Jerry's Partnershops, in Eastern Market and Chevy Chase, which provide job training and work experience to 70 young people each year.
Art & Media House
The Art & Media House is a space for youth to develop their creative abilities through hands-on training in photography, ceramics, radio, video, creative writing, fine art, and museum studies. Art & Media House programs encourage youth to experience the power of their art not only as a means of self-expression but also as a tool for exploring issues facing the community
Our Outcomes for Youth
- Increased academic achievement and commitment to education, for both in-school and out-of-school youth,
- Acquisition of career skills and knowledge for immediate employment/financial purposes and long-term career development,
- Increased awareness of the community and engagement in improving it,
- Improved ability to initiate and sustain positive relationships,
- Adoption of healthy habits and avoidance of risky behaviors, and
- Increased ability to find positive solutions to the immediate needs of daily life.
