Youth Leadership

Youth leadership Initiative (YLI)

The pressing needs of Puerto Rican/Latino students require ongoing, consistent and responsive support. Recognizing the importance of student leadership development, NPRC created the Youth Leadership Initiative. NPRC has developed strong relationships with students nationwide and constantly works to expand and strengthen connections with and between students. NPRC uses communications methods proven to reach students, including individual and small group meetings, telephone conferences, and e-mail. These communications keep students updated on upcoming events, while regular surveys help NPRC assess student needs and concerns.

The Youth leadership Initiative (YLI) organizes a national network of young student leaders that actively participate in training seminars, annual meetings and technical assistance programs. It provides students with strategies and services that encourage their participation in the advocacy process and helps to develop their leadership skills.

To advance this initiative, NPRC currently has two youth leadership programs: College to Career (C2C) and Financial Literacy.

College to Career (C2C)

The College to Career Program provides Latino college students with the unique opportunity to meet with high-level corporate executives from Fortune 500 corporations, who introduce them to the concept of corporate culture and provides them with leadership development to prepare them for different career opportunities in the corporate sector.

C2C was first implemented in partnership with Lehman College (Bronx, N.Y.) in late 2005 and was launched in 2006 with 35 students graduating as the founding members. Since then, NPRC has expanded the program to New Jersey City University (Jersey City, N.J.) and Rutger's University's and the New Jersey State Dept. of Community Affairs' Latino Leaders Fellowship program (Trenton, N.J.). Since the program's launch, we are proud to have trained more than 100 students on corporate leadership.

The seven week intensive training program was developed by high-level executives in the public and corporate sector and covers topics such as the corporate hiring process, thriving in corporate culture, corporate social responsibility and financial education. Students also have the opportunity to visit a Fortune 500 headquarter, where they meet with executives and experience a day as a corporate member.

Through the program’s training seminars, NPRC hopes to encourage and cultivate our future leaders for corporate America and society at large.

Financial Literacy

NPRC’s Campus-Based Financial Literacy Program provides financial education geared toward college students. With more than 58 percent of Latino students graduating from college with high levels of unmanageable debt, it is essential that they learn sound financial management skills.

NPRC travels across the United States and Puerto Rico with a certified financial education trainer who uses the Freddie Mac Credit-Smart financial literacy curriculum and offers a wide curriculum on money management skills, such as learning how to obtain and read credit reports, raising awareness about predatory lending, creating a personal budget, and setting personal financial goals.