Today’s Achievers Are Tomorrow’s Leaders
The Capital District YMCA Black and Latino Achievers Program is a unique college and career exploration program for grades 9 -12. We offer additional programming for 7th and 8th graders to prepare them for high school and beyond.
The Black and Latino Achievers is a multicultural effort to create equity in education as well as in the workplace by motivating African American/Black, Latino, and other minority youth to develop and pursue high educational and career goals.
Cost of the program is $250. Scholarships available.
Benefits of being an Achiever include:
- Free CDYMCA membership for each year of program
- LinkedIn Account creation and mentorship
- Professional headshot
- 5-7 local college tours
- 6-8 week internship opportunity with the organization of an Adult Achiever
- Participation in Youth and Government Program, Teen Nites, special tutoring sessions, and special access to other youth programming
- Access to Black & Latino Alumni Association
- Access to employment opportunities
- Access to relationships w/local successful Black and Brown professionals
- Access to full and partial scholarships
- Life-long friendships with Achievers across the nation
- Professional development
- Leadership opportunities and trainings
- Certified community service hours
- Letters of recommendation
For information on the Adult Achievers Program, click here.
Why the CDYMCA Black and Latino Achievers?
Through YMCA Black and Latino Achievers, youth gain a sense of self, raise their academic standards, build character, develop cultural competence skills, gain exposure to diverse career opportunities, engage in community service opportunities and receive hands-on service learning and field experiences. A key benefit of Black Achievers is the relationship formed between adult achievers and teen achievers during career cluster workshops.
Self-Esteem: When you feel good about yourself, you have the courage to try new things and have new experiences.
Leadership Skills: The Y offers programs that mentor teens and young adults by exposing them to leadership opportunities.
Community Connections: The Y offers programs that introduce teens and young adults to community leaders and mentor opportunities.
Confidence: Children gain the confidence they need to try new things, make new friends, and do well in school.
Career Clusters
The YMCA Black and Latino Achievers program provides students with hands-on learning and enrichment opportunities in various professional areas. Youth gain resource tools and professional road map strategies to navigate towards opportunities for success in their career areas of interest. Cluster groups are led by professional adult volunteer mentors in the following cluster areas:
To find an Achievers Program near you or to get involved with the program, use the form below.
2023-2024 Applications are due October 30, 2023.