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Congratulations Upward Bound Graduates
That’s where the 2007 graduates of LAYC’s Upward Bound program are headed next fall. Congratulations to Jose Argueta, Chauntini Clark, Marsha Collins, Sharde’ Curley, Anna Feliciano, Ashley Harris, Dalila Huarcacho, Nicole Jackson, Monique Love, Michael Ludgardo, Jeovanny Paz, Julian Peters, Arlette Philogene, Hedy Romero, Joel Sanchez, Jessica Soriano, Cindy Vasquez and Ruben Velasquez. These impressive young people – 18 of them in all – graduated from LAYC’s Upward Bound program on May 11. They will graduate from their high schools in the coming weeks and head to college in the fall. 100% of the graduating seniors are enrolling in college, and when they do so, most of them will become the first in their families to go to college. The graduation ceremony at All Soul’s Church on the evening of Friday, May 11th was a joyous celebration, marking the years of hard work that led to this accomplishment. Said Anita Friedman, LAYC’s Chief Operating Officer, “This is a wonderful moment. Through their dedication, hard work and commitment, these young people have achieved great things. Next fall, they are enrolling in colleges and universities literally across the country, beginning the next stage in their education and starting a new chapter in their lives. It’s very exciting for these young people, for their family members who have been there every step of the way and often had to sacrifice a great deal to get to this point, and for the Upward Bound staff who are always there to help on a tough assignment, to navigate the college application and scholarship processes, and to lend support when the demands of preparing for college can seem a little overwhelming. Congratulations!” The areas of study the young people are planning to pursue are wide-ranging – Computer Engineering, Criminal Justice, Mass Communications, Business, Education, Biology and pre-Med, Political Science/International Relations, Mechanical Engineering, English, Psychology, Sociology, International Affairs and Marketing. To read about each of the Upward Bound graduates, please click here. |
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LAMB Holds Ground-breaking Ceremony for Expansion of School
LAYC Executive Director Testifies Before DC Council on Strengthening Youth Employment Programs in the District of ColumbiaLori Kaplan, wearing her multiple hats as co-chair of the Workforce Investment Council’s (WIC’s) Youth Investment Council, co-chair of the DC Alliance of Youth Advocates (DCAYA), a coalition of more than 50 youth-serving organizations in the city, and Executive Director of the Latin American Youth Center for the past 20 years, outlined several steps the city should take to strengthen its summer and year-round employment programs for youth. To read Lori’s testimony on May 5 before the DC Council’s Committee on Workforce Development and Government Operations, please click here. Art & Media House Honored by President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities
The Art & Media House was selected as one of 50 semifinalists from across the country as part of the 2007 Coming Up Taller Awards. Mural Created by Youth in Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers Program Wins Award From Rockville Preservation Group
The mural, “Youth Ascending the Staircase,” hangs in the atrium of the Montgomery County Judicial Center and depicts youth striving for success as they overcome challenges ascending the stairway of life. At an awards ceremony May 14th at the Montgomery County Council hearing room in Rockville, MMYC’s Managing Director Luisa Montero accepted Peerless Rockville’s 2007 Preservation Award on behalf of MMYC, the youth artists who created the mural, and the organizations who collaborated with MMYC on the program, including the Montgomery County Department of Juvenile Services; Montgomery County Collaboration for Children, Youth and Families; Choice Program of the Shriver Center, UMBA; the Institute for Family Center Services; and Class Acts Arts. Ms. Montero said, “This award is an important recognition of the beautiful work these young men did. Working with Joey Tomassoni, a wonderful, caring professional artist, and guided by our case manager, Janelle Cauthen, these young men created something powerful and lasting that, for years to come, will inspire people of all ages and backgrounds who walk through the doors of the Montgomery County Judicial Center.” To read more about the awards, please click here. LAYC Youth Wins Emerging Leader Award from LISCBrenda Aviles, a young woman who has been involved with LAYC for several years, and most recently, has worked as an assistant to the Coordinator of LAYC’s Girls Leadership Program, received an Emerging Leader Award from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) at the annual dinner of LISC’s DC chapter. Brenda has overcome significant personal challenges in her own life and has drawn on that experience to assist other girls and young women in her neighborhood who need help. At the youth center, Brenda has spent many hours talking to her peers about the risks of the streets and gang activities. Four years ago, Brenda was out of school and without a positive direction. Today, she’s a month away from completing her high school education at Cardozo Senior High School and is headed to college in fall, where she hopes to major in nursing. When Brenda graduates from high school, she will become the first in her family to do so. Lori Kaplan, Executive Director of LAYC, said, “Congratulations to everyone who has supported Brenda and nurtured her leadership. And Congratulations to Brenda – we are proud of her strength, commitment and leadership.” The award included a cash stipend to help Brenda with the cost of college. Pancho Gonzalez Youth Tennis Academy Holds Grand Opening
Mary Joe Fernandez, a former tennis professional who at one point was ranked # 5 in the world and now is a tennis commentator for ESPN, provided instruction to the young tennis players as they tested their backhands and forehands.
Powell Principal Lucia Vega cut the ribbon on the courts and picked up a racket as well. Principal Vega, who has worked closely with LAYC’s Pancho Gonzalez Youth Tennis Academy to get the courts built, described the new tennis opportunities as “a turning point” for her students.
Mike Leon, LAYC’s Ward 4 Team Leader, put it this way, “The young people are so excited because they know these courts were built for them. Our tennis efforts have come a long way in a very short period of time. And that’s happened because we’ve received great support from the tennis community, we’ve gotten help from Verizon, OLA and others, and we’ve had a wonderful partner at Powell.” Click here to see more photos.
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. For more information, please go to www.layc-dc.org. |
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Arizona State, Bradley University, George Mason University, Georgia State University, Goucher College, Miami University of Ohio, Montgomery College, Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University, Penn State University, Trinity University, UCLA, University of Maryland, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech and Xavier College.
The Latin American Montessori Bilingual Public Charter School, founded by LAYC in 2001, held a ground-breaking ceremony on Friday, May 18th, officially launching the second phase of construction at the school on 1375 Missouri Avenue, NW. LAMB, which now serves more than 100 students, is undertaking a three-story, 12,000 square foot addition to the recently renovated historic school building. On April 3, 2007, the DC City Council approved the sale of the school building to LAMB, enabling LAMB to begin the addition, which will allow the school to increase its enrollment. For more information on how to support their capital campaign, please contact Susan Wilson, LAMB Development Director, at 202.726.6200.
LAYC's Art & Media House has been selected as "one of the top arts and humanities-based programs in the country serving youth beyond the school-hours" by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
A mural created this past summer by ten adjudicated youth participating in an arts, job readiness and leadership development program offered by LAYC’s Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC) was honored recently by Peerless Rockville, a community-based organization that works to preserve buildings, objects and information important to Rockville’s heritage.
On Friday, May 4th, students at Powell Elementary got the first chance to play on the two brand new tennis courts on the school’s playground, as the school celebrated the grand opening of LAYC’s Pancho Gonzalez Youth Tennis Academy and got an early start on Cinco de Mayo.
Hundreds of students and their families turned out for the celebration. The young people had a blast, taking turns on the courts, cheering during their friends’ rallies, and practicing their strokes by hitting balls against the school’s outside wall.
Through the Pancho Gonzalez Youth Tennis Academy, students at both Powell and MacFarland Middle School have received tennis instruction during the school day as part of their physical education program. This summer, tennis will be offered through LAYC’s Summer Enrichment Camps in both Ward I and Ward IV.