Latino Youth Programs
The Latino Youth Program provides weekly school-year groups, a mentorship program, and a leadership program to assist Latino adolescents in developing positive attitudes and behaviors in the areas of education, self, family, and community that will help them to become positive, contributing members of the community.
The Latino Youth Program assists at-risk Twin Cities Latinos ages 12-18 to develop positive attitudes and behaviors in the areas of education, self, family, and community in order to become positive, contributing members of the community. Latino adolescents and children face cultural and language barriers that make thriving in society more challenging. La Oportunidad provides education that empowers Latino teenagers to develop skills that will help them to solve problems, plan for their futures, and build positive relationships at home and in school that will help them to succeed. Our program for Latino youth is prevention-based and follows the guiding principles established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Search Institute Guidelines for developmental asset building. The Latino Youth Program includes multiple components designed to create a positive reinforcing environment, including weekly school-year groups, mentoring, one-one-one support, a leadership program, and special events. Youth are encouraged to interact positively with peers, parents, and teachers. By focusing on early intervention and truancy diversion, La Oportunidad is able to better increase positive behaviors and divert youth from participation in high-risk activities.
Themes explored in the Latino Youth Programs include:
- Self Control and Conflict Resolution
- Decision Making and Problem-Solving
- Cultural Identity and Self Esteem
- Positive Relationships
- Personal and Educational Goal Setting
- Leadership Development
- Community Involvement
- Mentoring
Embajadores Latinos Leadership Program
Offers specialized Leadership programs and a collection of leadership activities for participants of Jóvenes Unidos and Chicas Fuertes. Through Embajadores Latinos, youth help coordinate and participate in the Annual Latino Youth Peace Conference which takes place in the spring. The conference consists of special workshops, presentations, and activities related to peacemaking and positive youth development. Embajadores Latinos also coordinates several activities, including Líderes del Mañana (Leaders of Tomorrow), a year-round mentoring program in which Latino youth are mentored by professionals and leaders from the community.
