Thank you for joining Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) in the

Saturday May 27th, 2017

Elgin

What were YLA's goals for this event?

1. Recruit 100+ walkers for the Fox Trot.

We had 220 walkers for the Fox Trot!

Last year, we registered 25 people to walk with us.  This year, with 30 participating nonprofits, we substantially surpassed all of the other groups, having double the number of walkers of the nonprofit with the 2nd highest count of walkers.  The Fox Trot organizers have confirmed that we now hold the record for the BIGGEST group of walkers registered by any nonprofit in the history of the charity walk.

2. Raise $3000.

We raised over $5000!

Last year, we raised $250 in total through the Fox Trot.  This year, through this crowdfunding campaign and an award from the City of Elgin based on our incredible number of walkers, we have raised over $5000.  Because of your support, we have funding for at least two classroom trainers for the 2017-18 school year!

Who are YLA cadets?

They are 128 students from 7th to 12th grade living in the Elgin Community College District 509 (including U-46, D300, D301, and D303 Illinois school districts). 93% are students of color.  100% come from families living in poverty.

Many cadets have been told that going to college is not an achievable dream.  Some have been told that they do not belong in our country or, even worse, that they simply should not have been born.

Yet 100% of them live the YLA motto: “I AM on the path to success.  I AM college bound.” 

100% are being prepped for college and trained as leaders.  100% are making a difference today as our youngest leaders to stand up for the poor and disenfranchised in our community.

Cadets each year choose a social justice issue to explore and address through service learning projects.  Projects this year have included raising awareness of human trafficking in Illinois (left), opening dialogue about LGBTQIA issues in schools (middle), and taking civic action to address racial/ethnic discrimination in schools (right).

Why should I support YLA?

If you believe that the color of a child's skin should not be a barrier to being a community leader, join us.  If you believe that the contents of one's wallet should not close the door to college education, support us.  If you believe that all children deserve the chance to reach their full potential, walk with us.

How else can I support YLA?

Although the Fox Trot and this crowd funding campaign has ended, you can still support us!  You can:

1. Contact us if you are interested in supporting us as donors or sponsors.

Please contact our Executive Director, Dianha Ortega-Ehreth, via e-mail at dortega-ehreth@elgin.edu to find out the best way for you to support our program and learn about upcoming events to sponsor.

2. Contact us if you are interested in supporting YLA by joining our staff or our Board.

Please contact our Executive Director, Dianha Ortega-Ehreth, via e-mail at dortega-ehreth@elgin.edu if you would like to learn more about how you can join our team in bringing out the full potential of our amazing cadets and being our ambassadors in our community.

What impact does my support have on YLA?

"YLA has been a place where I’ve made new friends and have learned so much. Not just about leadership skills but about who I am and how to become a better person.  With YLA I’ve been able to step out of my comfort zone and put my leadership training in action."  Luz, a 2015 YLA alum currently attending college.

Click on a donation button above to equip cadets like Luz with the training and support they need to reach their full potential. 

During their six years in the YLA program, cadets complete a minimum of 360 leadership training hours.  They exercise their leadership skills through service learning projects every year,  making a positive difference in Elgin and nearby communities.  YLA has a 95% retention rate of cadets who continue on from year to year.  An average of 75% of YLA graduates enroll in Elgin Community College after high school.  The remaining graduates enroll in other institutions such as University of Chicago, University of Illinois-Chicago, University of Iowa, or Carthage College. 

Only through your generosity can YLA continue to exist and grow to prepare our young people for the future.  Show your support today, and be a YLA Hero!  #YLAHero

Thank you to our Sponsors for this Campaign!