Participants at the ChYLI Leadership Institute watch an energetic dance demonstration.
By Haley Brendmoen
Gustavus Adolphus College’s Chicano/Latino Youth Leadership Institute (ChYLI) program is recognized for furthering human rights in the St. Peter community. It will receive the St. Peter 2006 Human Rights Award from the city’s Human Rights Commission at the March 26 St. Peter City Council meeting. Program Director Veronica Alba will accept the award.
ChYLI is “a culturally based positive youth development program that provides Chicano-Latino high school youth from southern Minnesota with opportunities to develop their leadership ability and enhance their educational outlook.”
The program was developed in 1993 by the Region Nine Development Commission located in Mankato, Minn. Now coordinated by Gustavus and funded through the Minnesota Department of Education, ChYLI continues to create future leaders by developing programs that instruct and encourage youth to affirm their identity, embrace their culture, and lead their communities.
ChYLI accepts 70 students into the program each year from five area high schools: St. Peter, Mankato Area, Madelia, St. James, and Sleepy Eye. Students must complete an application process that includes an essay, recommendations, and a demonstrated commitment to community service.
Goals of the program include building a network of Chicano-Latino leaders, increasing understanding of the Chicano-Latino culture, involving youth in service learning opportunities, community decision-making and vision setting, and increasing school connectedness and graduation rates among Chicano-Latino youth.
The ChYLI Leadership Institute is held each year. This service conference allows youth to socialize with other Chicano-Latino students, work with adult bilingual facilitators, learn about leadership and civic responsibility, practice teamwork and decision making, learn about cultural influences, and create a youth-led Service Action Plan to help their school and community.
The program also sponsors “ChYLI Project Reconnect,” a partnership with area schools that focuses on increasing parent involvement, connecting students to their school, and providing additional educational resources. This after-school program provides information on social skills, values, education, career exploration, post-secondary opportunities, and parent education.
Since the program moved to Gustavus in 2006, there has been increased emphasis on post-secondary education. ChYLI students visit several area colleges each year so they are aware of local options post-graduation. Currently there are five former ChYLI participants enrolled at Gustavus.
In addition to Alba, the program employs two other full-time staff, Evelyn Carrasco DeLaRosa and Megan Harris.