Empowering Youth Together
Like many LAYC youth, I am part of the first generation in my family to go to college. Because of this, I understand first-hand the particular determination needed for a young person to stay focused on a goal that, at times, seems out of reach.
Ruth, an LAYC participant, inspired us all this year with her unending strength, resiliency, and optimism as she worked to graduate from high school, enter college, and build a better life for herself.
Ruth has been in LAYC’s Promotor PathwayⓇ since early 2019, and this summer we celebrated her accomplishment of graduating from high school. Ruth is now a freshman scholarship recipient at George Mason University and we are excited about the journey ahead of her.
“I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF RUTH’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND THAT SHE WILL BECOME A POWERFUL ROLE MODEL TO HER PEERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE.”
While there are many challenges in life beyond their control, youth like Ruth know that persistence and individual choices they make along a difficult journey can produce fruit and lead to success, even if the result is not immediate.
Ruth is excited about her future and it is remarkable to see her grow as she learns that the difficulties she has faced do not limit her success. This is what all of us at LAYC want for all youth, that they feel empowered and find purpose that will motivate them to work towards their goals and look optimistically to the future.
Empowering Youth Together
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, youth at LAYC were already facing personal and academic barriers and navigating complex life decisions to move along a path for a better future. Relationships like the one established between Ruth and her promotor, Cintia, provide support and validation and build on trust and compassion. We cannot underestimate the power of this kind of support system at a time when youth are feeling more and more isolated, unsure, and in need of encouragement.
Through your Giving Tuesday gift today, you can provide resources, encouragement, and opportunity at a time when a young person like Ruth needs it the most.
To magnify your impact, you can sponsor a youth year-round when you join LAYC’s Heroes Circle of monthly sustainers.
Today, you can double your giving impact! Alice and Russell True Foundation has partnered with us to match up to $50,000 for all new or increased individual donations.
On this Giving Tuesday, I am filled with gratitude for the love and compassion demonstrated by our community during a challenging time.
Thank you for helping us continue to lift up our youth and families.
Lupi Quinteros-Grady,
LAYC President & CEO
P.S. Individual contributions this past year helped over 4,000 LAYC youth and families in DC and Maryland. These gifts provided emergency food and rental assistance, housing connections, virtual programming, academic assistance, case management, job training, and other essential resources and supports to ensure each young person will realize a healthy future.