Featured Alumni
Upon completing the Young Worker Leadership Academy, alumni are given opportunities to continue advocating for health and safety for underrepresented workers. Read about activities of some of our recent alumni below.
Briselda
"I enjoyed the ice breakers and the jeopardy game because it's
helpful to know my rights and let other people know their rights."
- Briselda
An alumna of the 2007 academy, Briselda had the opportunity to participate as a youth mentor in both 2008 academies at Berkeley and Los Angeles. This experienced marked her first trip outside of Southern California and aided her in developing strong leadership and public speaking skills.
Monte
"I feel that it's important for teens to learn workplace health
and safety because many are inexperienced workers and are
more
likely to get injuries at the workplace than somebody who
is older"
- Monte
Monte, now 17 years old, has promising visions for himself and his South Central Los Angeles community. Monte first participated in the Young Worker Leadership Academy in 2007 at UC Berkeley with his close friends Donovan, Davale, and Brandon, known as the Fabulous 4 team.
After receiving training, materials, and leadership development, the "Fab 4" entered the 2007 Safe Jobs for Youth Month Public Service Announcement contest and won first prize. Their winning PSA was recently promoted at the PeaceJam Slam, a one-day youth conference hosted by the Cesar Chavez Foundation.
Monte then returned to the YWLA in 2008 as a youth mentor and has continuously shown interest in educating his peers. He believes educating the community about workplace health and safety issues is important and connects this with globalization, which he wants to understand and learn more about.
In April of 2008, Monte was one of three youth spokespersons for the Workers Memorial Day Panel. He explained why it was important for youth to promote and educate their peers about workplace rights. Monte then contributed much of his own time to complete a project on immigrant workers' rights.
Maria and Mayra
"This is an experience you can always go back to and that is going to help you. This is a one in a life time chance, so try it. It only will benefit you in all senses and doesn't hurt you in any possible way"
- Participant
Maria and Mayra participated in the YWLA in 2006 with their group Community Housing Works from San Diego. After returning from the academy, they created a radio Public Service Announcement that aired in their local San Diego area.
Maria and Mayra participated in subsequent YWLA reunions and finally served as youth mentors in the 2008 and 2009 academies. Both women have developed their leadership skills through the process, demonstrating higher personal confidence, improved public speaking skills, and a passion for community outreach.
Veronica
"The YWLA has helped me develop myself as a person and as a young woman. Becoming a leader in my community is the best thing ever!"
- Veronica
Veronica participated in the 2006 YWLA with the Manual Arts High School group. Her team project became one of our best success stories, the Youth in Power club, which actively participates in outreach efforts and recruits new members each year.
Veronica served as a YWLA youth mentor in 2008 and 2009, presented at the APHA Youth Voices Panel 2008, and spoke at Workers' Memorial Day 2008. She is currently in community college and will soon transfer to UCLA or to Santa Clara University.