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Student leaders from six urban youth centers put their newfound business dining etiquette to the test at a recent holiday party for members of the Los Angeles Youth Leadership Council (LAYLC), the highly acclaimed leadership program for inner city youth founded by the Majestic Realty Foundation.
The LAYLC is a leadership and teambuilding coalition for teens, and one of Majestic Realty Foundation’s flagship programs. The program brings together 80 high school student leaders from six inner city youth centers: the Bresee Foundation, El Centro del Pueblo, HOLA, Para Los Niños, Salesian Boys & Girls Club of LA, and the Salvation Army/Red Shield.
The celebration, held Dec. 14 at Wood Ranch Barbecue at The Grove in Los Angeles, offered students the chance to use skills they honed in recent training sessions on the finer points of business etiquette.
“Our student leaders make us very proud. We receive comments about their positive attitudes whenever they are out working on projects in the community,” said Meghan Loper, program director for the Majestic Realty Foundation. “The business dining etiquette skills they have developed as part of our recent training session will serve them well in college and in the workforce, but more importantly in life.”
More than 80 LAYLC members and alumni attended the party. Throughout the evening, students reflected on their accomplishments in 2009 and set new goals for 2010.
Students shared their 2010 goals – which for many included college acceptance and continued participation in volunteer projects. Recently, student volunteers assembled more than 220 fruit baskets that were used as centerpieces for a community Thanksgiving that provided meals to more than 1500 families.
During the evening several students were recognized for their leadership roles not only as members of the youth council, but also for their positions as student body officers at their respective high schools. Staff leaders praised the students for demonstrating their leadership skills both while at school and in the community.
Several LAYLC alumni returned to share experiences from their first years of college. Lorena Lopez, a 2007 LAYLC graduate now in her third year at University of California, Santa Cruz encouraged her peers to seek out available resources on college campuses. “Support is available if you are willing to ask for help,” she said. “Budget cuts have impacted my campus and many others, but there are still several opportunities to receive tutoring and find other support. I would encourage all of you to continue to work hard and stay focused on your goals, and remember that your youth centers and the members of this council are ready to support you.”
Established in 2002, the Majestic Realty Foundation provides grants and other support to charitable community partners that work the areas of youth, family, education, violence prevention and health in the communities where Majestic Realty Co., one of the nation’s leading private commercial real estate developers, does business. For more information, visit www.majesticfoundation.org.
Media Contact:
Fran Inman
(562) 948-4375
finman@majesticrealty.com