Premier Youth Development Non-Profit in the Nation’s Capital to Host one of Brazil’s Top Children’s Organization

(Washington DC) As part of Partners of the America’s exchange program organized to promote educational and cultural understanding, the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) will host a representative from Brazil’s Missâo Criança (Mission Child).

Last year, LAYC’s Director of Social Services, Carlos Vera, was selected as the first DC partner to participate in an exchange program in Brazil. “This experience allowed me to engage in open dialogue with community leaders about the work we do and learn about their challenges and accomplishments,” said Carlos Vera, LAYC’s director of social services. “We are delighted to host a representative from an organization that does so much great work for the community in Brazil.”

While in Brazil, Vera was hosted by Missâo Criança, a non-profit organization that aims to eradicate poverty through education. The trip allowed Vera to learn about the organization’s programs and the Brazilian community, meet with local leaders, and share information about LAYC’s work.

Between March 16 to March 30, Maristela Dourado, Director of Institutional Relations at Missâo Criança, will shadow staff in LAYC’s programs, meet with elected officials at the local and federal level and with leaders of local organizations, and attend cultural and educational events.

“Both organizations deal with similar issues concerning children and youth people. Both organizations are located in capital cities that confront similar societal issues. The exchange program between LAYC and Missâo Criança allows us to build deeper relationships between organizations and nations and share practices,” said executive director Lori Kaplan. “By sharing our work, LAYC hopes to help Missâo Criança in their continuous effort to fight poverty through youth-based education programs.”

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Partners of the Americas--founded in 1964 as the non-governmental component of the Alliance for Progress--is the western hemisphere’s first and largest volunteer-based organization involved in economic, education, cultural, and social development exchanges fostering inter-American friendship. As one of the 19 US-Brazil partnerships, the District of Columbia is partnered with Brasilia, Brazil.

The Latin American Youth Center family of organizations is a network of youth centers, charter 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. www.layc-dc.org