The La Raza Youth Leadership Institute’s annual conference exposes Colorado’s Latino youth to the endless opportunities in their future by promoting the importance of higher education, career planning, self-esteem building and developing leadership skills. The conference includes three workshops, a keynote address, and lunch time entertainment. The LRYLI conference is unique because we cater to the Latino youth aged 12 – 18 of Colorado by offering culturally sensitive programming to enhance their social, educational and personal growth.
The conference began in 1991 as a male youth conference. Today, the conference welcomes both female and male participants. It has grown steadily over the years recruiting youth from targeted throughout Colorado. This year’s 21st Annual conference hosted by the Auraria Higher Education Center, a tri-institutional campus located in downtown Denver. The 2012 conference had approximately 1,600 student participants, 150 school liaisons, 175 volunteers, and 50 workshops.
The conference is coordinated and planned by volunteer board members who are local leaders in the community and work for various sectors of the community including: institutions of higher education, City and County of Denver, non-profit organizations, and private businesses.