Latin American Youth Center—Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers
Latin American Youth Center—Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers reaches 4,500 at-risk youths in the region, including 600 Montgomery County youths in school and those who have dropped out.
Its programs include job readiness, academic enrichment, college preparation, leadership development and life skills critical for adulthood. With its support, 125 county teens were able to obtain paid summer internships in 2010 at local businesses, government offices and nonprofits.
Headquartered: Washington, D.C.
Serves: Washington, D.C., Montgomery and Prince George’s counties
What a donation buys:
• $250 provides public transportation tokens for three young people to attend a year’s worth of counseling sessions or other programs.
• $1,000 allows 20 youths to take the GED exam.
• $10,000 supports two students in the Upward Bound program for a year. (Upward Bound prepares those who are the first generation to attend college for postsecondary education.)
Volunteer opportunities:
• Weekly: Tutor a high school or GED student one to two times a week on academic subjects. Background clearance required.
• Onetime: Become a motivational guest speaker to the youth program, discussing careers, financial literacy, parenting skills, etc.
• Onetime: Support the Annual Youth Job Fair by serving on the planning committee, providing employer contacts, advertising or helping onsite.
