Latin American Youth Center
Non-profit OrganizationsDistrict of Columbia, United States201-500 Employees
Based in Washington, DC, the Latin American Youth Center is a non-profit organization focused on helping youth navigate the transition to adulthood through a range of services that address social, academic, and career needs. Founded in 1968, LAYC serves more than 4,000 individuals each year through integrated, bilingual programs in education, workforce readiness, housing, mental health, arts, and recreation. Though it originated serving Latino youth, LAYC now supports young people from diverse backgrounds at sites across the District of Columbia and in Maryland’s Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. The organization maintains a workforce of several hundred and concentrates on populations facing barriers such as poverty, homelessness, foster care, involvement with the juvenile justice system, or mental health and substance abuse challenges. In 2021, LAYC opened a permanent food pantry in partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank to address growing food insecurity.