DC USA Mall Brings Job Opportunities for Youth

Along with Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, other city officials, and representatives of community organizations, the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony in March to mark the grand opening of Best Buy, located one block away from the LAYC’s anchor site.

During a morning event, Isaac Castillo, LAYC’s Director of Learning and Evaluation, accepted a donation from Best Buy. At the evening celebration, members of LAYC’s Girls Leadership, our gang prevention/intervention program, helped end the grand opening celebration with an astonishing dance performance.

Five youth--four from LAYC’s YouthBuild Public Charter School, one from WISE-- have been hired to work at Best Buy. In total, 22 LAYC participants are working at Target, Marshalls, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Best Buy.

LAYC has been a major player in providing qualified youth to fill jobs offered by area employers. According to a report by our Learning and Evaluation department, from the beginning of fiscal year 2007 to date, 529 youth were placed by the Latin American Youth Center and Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers.

These results wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of LAYC’s youth developers. “They have put a lot of work, a lot of effort into helping youth prepare for jobs,” said Hedda M. McLendon, Learning and Evaluations Specialist.