Youth Development

In the last 5 years, Instituto has increased its work with youth, acknowledging the importance of inspiring educational aspiration and developing life skills at an early age.  The emergence of Instituto's Youth Development Department responded from the philosophy that sustainable community development must include effective programs for youth.  As the number of available resources and opportunities for meaningful youth engagement grows, their options for healthy development and positive choices increases.  The larger goal of our Youth Development Department is to promote learning supported by family engagement that produces more high school and college graduates.  By offering a comprehensive multi-age youth program, participants will grow into self-sufficient adults who are active agents for change in their community, reinforcing positive behavior that creates a legacy for younger generations to follow.

YDD administers the following programs:

Escalera: Taking Steps to Success
In 2003, Instituto teamed with the National Council of La Raza and the PepsiCo Foundation to develop a pilot college-bridge program, Escalera that would address barriers to education, employment and economic mobility amongst Latina/o youth. 

Find Out More>> If you are interested in applying, click here to download the application. Deadline for 2009-2010 submissions is 1/9/09.

Keep Educating Youth
Keep Educating Youth (KEY) is a year-round program that understands the need for youth to be engaged in positive activities after school. 

Find Out More>>

Instituto del Progreso Latino | 2570 S. Blue Island | Chicago, Ilinois 60608 | Phone: (773) 890-0055 | Fax: (773) 890-1537
© 2008 Instituto del Progreso Latino. All rights reserved.