Latin American Youth Center’s (LAYC) DREAMER Committee is a group of LAYC staff who conduct immigration advocacy and administer a scholarship fund to offset immigration fees for youth, particularly DACA applications. With the uncertainty of the DACA program, the committee has switched focus to support our youth activists in telling their stories. Our aim is to embolden our youth to share their personal connection to immigration and to be vocal activists for immigration justice in their communities.

In this vein, our committee plans to create a Storytelling for Youth Activists workshop series. Ten LAYC youth will be selected to participate in a series of storytelling workshops to gain leadership, community building, and public speaking skills. Youth will learn to powerfully share their personal stories in connection to the ongoing fight for immigrant justice. A spoken word or storytelling specialist will guide each youth through developing their narrative, connecting with an audience, and successfully conveying their point of view. Trained youth will be invited to participate in larger immigration advocacy through: public speaking at rallies, testifying before city council, and/or in speaking to the media. Partner organizations, including Story District, have expressed enthusiasm in partnering with LAYC on this project. Storytelling for Youth Activists will amplify youth voices to lead our local immigrant justice movement.

This project is strategically aligned with Latin American Youth Center’s overall mission to empower a diverse population of youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood, through multi-cultural, comprehensive, and innovative programs that address youths' social, academic, and career needs. LAYC provides services and opportunities to approximately 4,000 individuals annually to support academic achievement, promote healthy behaviors, and guide youth toward successful adulthood.