latin american youth center LAYC youth development latino

Washington, DC, May 4, 2009 – The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) hosted First Lady Michelle Obama at the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School for a “Cinco de Mayo” celebration. During the celebration, students from the Next Step Public Charter School and the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School (LAMB) performed several dances and a song entitled, “Somos los Niños de LAMB.” LAYC is a multicultural community-based organization that supports youth and their families to live, work, and, study with dignity, hope, and joy.

“It was a tremendous honor and pleasure to welcome the First Lady and First Mom Michelle Obama to LAYC, the Next Step PCS, and LAMB.  She embraces and stands for all that we value and hope for our children, youth, and families,” said Lori Kaplan, President & CEO of LAYC.

The celebration took place at the Latin American Montessori Bilingual (LAMB) Public Charter School located at 1375 Missouri Ave, NW. Founded by LAYC in 2001, LAMB fosters bilingualism in a self-directed learning environment in which children build a foundation of knowledge essential for a lifetime of learning.

During her visit, the First Lady addressed a large group of students, LAYC AmeriCorps members, and staff from LAYC, LAMB, and the Next Step. She remarked, “I encourage all of you to consider getting involved in public service and give back to your communities. You are our future, from the three-year olds to the 23-year olds, and we are counting on you to work hard at school so you that you may become our next generation of leaders, and may be standing up here where I am one day.”

For additional information on First Lady Michelle Obama’s visit, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

ABOUT THE LATIN AMERICAN MONTESSORI BILINGUAL PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL: The mission of the Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School (LAMB) is to foster bilingualism in a self-directed learning environment in which children build a foundation of knowledge essential for a lifetime of learning. Since opening its doors in 2003 with 57 pre-school and pre-kindergarten students, LAMB now serves 145 pre-school through fourth grade students and will expand its offering of educational programs to fifth grade students in the fall of 2009 and sixth grade students in the fall of 2010.

ABOUT THE NEXT STEP PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL:  The Next Step offers 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.

In this picture: Julie Meyer, Executive Director, The Next Step Public Charter School; Susan Evans Espinosa, Prinicpal, The Next Step Public Charter School; David Sutphen, Member, Latin American Youth Center Board of Directors; Cristina Encinas, Principal, Latin American Montessori Public Charter School; Guillermo Laya, President, The Next Step Public Charter School Board of Directors; Diane Cottman, Executive Director, Latin American Montessori Public Charter School; Michelle Obama, The First Lady of the United States; Lori Kaplan, Executive Director, Latin American Youth Center; Millie Perez, Special Events Coordinator, Latin American Youth Center; Julie Jensen, Member, Latin American Youth Center Board of Directors; Lynn English, Consultant, Latin American Youth Center ;Ernest Yombo, Member, LAMB Board of Directors; Ana Maria Ramos, Member, LAMB Board of Directors.

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