LYD empowers Rochester youth through mentorship, community engagement, skill development
Latino Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the rich cultural tapestry woven by Latino communities across the United States. In the city of Rochester, the Latino Youth and Development Resource Center (LYD) not only celebrates this heritage but also makes a profound impact on the lives of young individuals, particularly those navigating perilous paths in gang-infested neighborhoods.
Officially established just three years ago, LYD has become a beacon of hope and empowerment, disrupting dangerous trajectories and fostering community cohesion while undertaking numerous initiatives aimed at supporting and uplifting Rochester’s youth. Mercedes Simmons, co-founder and executive director of the center, expressed the organization’s commitment, saying, “We are determined to pull as many kids as possible from the fast-paced river of adversity they face.”
LYD has actively promoted community cohesion by organizing job fairs, health fairs and outreach programs. Collaborations with local churches and businesses have further strengthened ties within the community. Additionally, the center offers parenting classes, recognizing that parents often need support in navigating life’s challenges, especially when they feel overwhelmed.
The organization has been happy to collaborate with Rochester Rising, Center City Boxing, Autism Up, The Upper Room Church ministries and so many more. These collaborations make it possible for the families who participate in their program to have access to resources and activities in the community that they otherwise may otherwise may not have had. Families are able to spend quality time together and have positive community support. Any quality time invested in activities such as these significantly decreases the opportunities for youth to be faced with gang related influence, therefore creating a sense of safety for parents.
“We care about the wellness of the whole family unit,” says Simmons.
In addition to community collaborations, LYD takes a proactive approach to empower young individuals by offering employment opportunities and mentoring programs. They instill valuable life skills, including conflict resolution and problem-solving, to help youth become leaders and contribute to rebuilding their communities.
Simmons shared a poignant testimonial about a young man who was involved in a murder case and narrowly escaped a violent encounter. LYD used this incident as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of avoiding gang violence. Through dedicated efforts and the crucial support of the young man’s mother, LYD successfully redirected his path. Today, he is thriving in high school, exemplifying the center’s commitment to keeping youth away from violence. Their message is simple but powerful: “Don’t give up on your youth.” Simmons and the LYD team truly believe that today’s youth are our only hope for a better tomorrow.
While the name suggests a focus on the Latino community, LYD extends its support to the entire Rochester community. Astonishingly, 50% of program participants have no Spanish descent, highlighting the center’s commitment to celebrating diversity and fostering unity. This shows the profound impact that the Latino culture has on the community but also the nation at large. Their presence and citizenship here matters.
As Rochester prepares to celebrate Latino Heritage Month, LYD is actively involved in the Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day on Sunday, October 1, 2023, from Noon to 5 p.m. This free community event, in partnership with the Memorial Art Gallery, brings together 21 Spanish-speaking cultures. The day is filled with captivating performances, spoken poetry and visual arts, creating an inclusive space for all to learn, grow and appreciate the diverse tapestry of Latino cultures.
Rochester is grateful for how the Latino Youth and Development Resource Center is disrupting the dangerous paths that many of the youth face, offering them support, hope and opportunities for a brighter future. As we celebrate Latino Heritage Month, we can also celebrate the incredible impact LYD has made in the lives of young individuals and the broader community, demonstrating the transformative power of community engagement and support.
Looking forward, LYD has plans to create a drop-in center and living space for families and youth affected by housing insecurity. Many students miss school due to unstable living environments, and LYD is determined to ensure that these children have a stable place to call home. By connecting available resources to those in need, the center aims to facilitate regular school attendance, where students can come to school and learn without having to worry about their living arrangements.
For more information about the Latino Youth Development and Resource Center or how you can partner with them visit https://www.facebook.com/LYDPRYDROC.
Share this!
With 39 dealerships between Buffalo and Syracuse, including 11 in greater Rochester, West Herr represents more[…]
September 26, 2023
Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans has announced staffing changes among senior administration officials.
September 26, 2023
ITX Corp. has acquired Philadelphia-based SUMO Heavy, a provider of customized eCommerce solutions serving […]
September 26, 2023
A $300,000 investment will support Rochester Childfirst Network’s program to develop new in-home childcare b[…]
September 26, 2023
Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad has been awarded $12.6 million by the Federal Railroad Administration t[…]
September 26, 2023
Teen Empowerment will receive $1 million in state funding for its new teen center – named the Barack and Miche[…]
September 25, 2023
Sign up for your daily digest of Rochester News.
West Herr Auto Group committed to building loyalty across western, central NY
9/26/2023
Mayor Evans appoints key administration officials
9/26/2023
Rochester-based custom software development firm acquires eCommerce solutions provider
9/26/2023
Monroe County grant helps Rochester Childfirst Network expand in-home childcare programs �[…]
9/26/2023
LYD empowers Rochester youth through mentorship, community engagement, skill development
9/26/2023
We hear football players talk about the 24-hour rule all the time. You get a day to celebrate your victory or mourn your loss[…]
Primary care is foundational for both individual and population health, and the most common entry point to health care specia[…]
I think I ought to begin this column with a trigger warning, because it’s going to challenge some ideas that many Americans[…]
I’ve been going bananas about the Savannah Bananas ever since watching an HBO feature a year ago about the barnstorming tea[…]
With school back in session, it’s time to hit the books and bone up on some important changes in the employment law.
Health Care: Oct. 26
4/7/2023
Senior & Elder Care Planning: Nov. 16
4/7/2023
Automation and AI: Dec. 21
4/7/2023
Business of Cannabis: Aug. 24
4/7/2023
Planning for Retirement/Wealth Management: July 20
4/7/2023
Rochester Business Journal, the leading source of business news and information in Rochester, N.Y., since 1987, and its sister publication, The Daily Record, which covers law and real estate in Western New York, are part of BridgeTower Media, one of the country’s leading business-to-business media companies with more than 40 print and digital publications in more than 25 U.S. markets.
Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications!
Subscribe for access to the latest digital and special editions.
© 2023 BridgeTower Media. All rights reserved.
Use of this website is subject to its Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy
