Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) joins our city and community in mourning the loss of Arturo J. Griffiths, Jr. — a trailblazer, a mentor, and a tireless advocate who helped shape Washington, D.C. into a place where immigrant youth and working-class communities could find power, purpose, and pride. 

Andy Van Etten first joined the LAYC Board in 2011 and immediately rolled up his sleeves to help transform the 2012 GALA with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC playbook. He’s been helping with each GALA since.

On a night filled with inspiration, we hosted our annual Gala 2025, bringing together community leaders, supporters, and youth to celebrate the power of opportunity and the promise of our future leaders.

At Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), we understand that home is not just a place—it's a foundation for stability, growth, and success. That’s where our Transitional Living Program (TLP) and Host Homes program comes in, offering a crucial lifeline to youth experiencing housing instability. 

On October 15, LAYC Conservation Corps members embarked on a one-day camp retreat at Little Bennet Campground, where they focused on team bonding, reconnecting with nature, and developing leadership skills.  The retreat provided participants the opportunity to step away from their daily routines and bond with their fellow members and staff. 

We are happy to announce Candice Willmore as our newest board member! Candice brings extensive experience, a strong dedication to community service, and a genuine passion for empowering youth—traits that resonate deeply with our mission. 

On July 29, our LAYC Rita Bright youth and staff came together to honor and celebrate Wendy Martinez's life in a day filled with joy, creativity, and community spirit. The event was marked by both celebration and remembrance as students participated in a variety of engaging activities, each reflecting Wendy’s passions and dedication to community service.

We are thrilled to announce and welcome Yvonna Stevens, as our new Board Chair of the Board of Directors at Latin American Youth Center!

March is Social Work Month, and it is a time to recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of social workers in creating positive change. This year’s theme is “Empowering Social Workers,” as recognized by National Association of Social Workers, highlights the crucial role social workers play in advocating for the rights and well-being of marginalized communities.

Storytelling is an art form that transcends boundaries and expands hope. Whether shared on their social media channels, recorded on podcasts, or exchanged in day-in-day interactions, it is important for youth to bring to life their lived experiences and perspectives. One way that our youth are voicing their stories is by becoming published authors!

An exciting trend is picking up at LAYC: welcoming team members from well outside the DMV. For #HispanicHeritageMonth, we asked 4 "new(ish)" members their thoughts on working in an org that serves over 2,000 Latina/o youth yearly. See what they said.

The latest cohort of AmeriCorps members celebrated their closing ceremony, making for an ideal time to reflect on the program’s life-changing nature.

At LAYC, everything we do supports youth development, and one way to encourage youth development is through youth expression. This is why the LAYC Teen Center is so special.

LAYC finished its first spring cohort for PYD! The feedback was positive. Staff learned and engaged with other team members outside their departments.

LAYC is thrilled to welcome Jaliel Amador, Sales Vice President for Public Sector at UnitedHealthcare, as the latest member of our Board of Directors!

Read about an ongoing partnership since that has made DoorDash one of LAYC’s strongest allies in fighting food insecurity in the regions we serve.

Gala 2023 was an unforgettable evening of elevating youth voices. From our youth panel to honoring community stalwarts who honor youth perspective, the evening will make an indelible mark on all who attended.