Latin American Youth Center

The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) is proud to announce that the Center’s Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC) was the recipient of the National Gang Crime Research Center’s (NGCRC) SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE award at their national conference, August 15-17th in Chicago, Illinois.

Formed in 1990, NGCRC is a non-profit independent agency that carries out research on gangs and gang members in cooperation with federal, state and local governments; disseminates information through publications and reports; and provides training and consulting services.

One of four national awardees at the annual conference, LAYC MMYC’s program was the only non-profit community-based organization recognized for its innovative community-based gang prevention efforts and innovative research in prevention. LAYC-MMYC’s creative work with youth in the juvenile justice system through drama and creative writing was noted, as was its work with community policing and building relationships between schools, community, parents, and law enforcement.

Luisa Montero, MMYC’s Managing Director stated,” It was indeed an honor for our work to be recognized by this national group. As a recipient of the Spirit of Excellence award, we join the ranks of local law enforcement groups, research institutions, criminal justice entities, and community-based organizations that have shown commitment and innovation in addressing the issue of gangs across this country.”

LAYC’s MMYC offers innovative educational, social services, and workforce development programs in three Maryland sites in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. During 2006, over 500 children, youth and families participated in MMYC programs. MMYC is a program of LAYC, a community-based organization in the District of Columbia and Maryland serving over 4,000 youth and family members in 2007.