The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) serves multicultural youth in Washington, DC, and Maryland with a comprehensive set of social services and educational, work skills, advocacy, and residential programs. The LAYC Network includes three charter schools.

Synopsis:

The LAYC is a stronger organization and considerably better positioned to extend its reach and impact to serve communities of dire need in Maryland, following regional demographic trends, than it was in 2003. Its effectiveness and sustainability have increased as well. The LAYC surpassed original expectations, which resulted in VPP increasing its multi-year investment by an additional $900,000 for a total investment of $1,824,191.

Key Accomplishments:

The LAYC has established three new centers in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in Maryland, projected to serve thousands of youth with a select group of its services. Central to this strategic expansion is the unique partnership established with the Archdiocese of Greater Washington, critical ties to county agencies, secured funding streams in the new jurisdictions, and strengthened operations at its headquarters to manage new growth. Other noteworthy accomplishments that contributed to improved capacity and increased effectiveness include:

• Planning and Focus: Completed business planning in April 2004, facilitated by Monitor Group, resulting in a well-defined expansion plan for Maryland and the demographic data needed to make strategic choices about service provision.

• Human Capital-Board Management

  • Greatly strengthened senior management team, integrating Maryland Managing Director, DC Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Development, and Learning and Evaluation Specialist.

  • Better defining processes and utilization of staff across sites and charter schools as organization expands.

  • Good board strengthened by addition of strategic members. Advisory board with local expertise and network created for Maryland expansion and also coordinates with charter schools.

• Capitalization/Revenue: Raised approximately $2 million for Maryland expansion over one year from multiple sources including local foundations, federal earmarks, public funding, and individual donors. Most notably, leveraged federal appropriations totaling $950 thousand, up from $100 thousand in the previous two years. Helped influence a gift of $1.25 million from the Fernandez Foundation to the Archdiocese partnership.

• Outcome Assessment: Extensive new outcomes assessment system designed and beginning to be established for managing 40+ programs under the leadership of a full-time Learning and Evaluation Specialist.

Key Information

Date, years, and stage of VPP Investment:	March 2003; 2.75 years, (mid-stage; partially funded)
Capital committed and disbursed by VPP:	$1,824,191 committed; $819,191 disbursed
Estimated children to be served in 2010:	6,323
Revenue increase & % budget growth:	$5.3 to $9.3 million - 75% in four years
Leveraged funding:	$2.5 million
Expansion to new places and coverage:	Three new centers in two new Maryland counties and opened LAYC Youth Build Public Charter School