September 2023 eMagazine Supplementary Issue

OUR PEOPLE,
OUR MISSION
Global Health
eMagazine
September 2023
Supplementary
Issue
YOUTH ACADEMY FOR
LATINO LEADERS
COLLABORATION
CELEBRATING SUCCESS
GLOBAL HEALTH ACADEMY
INAUGURAL PROJECT
Y.A.L.L.
BIOSKETCHES AND
REFLECTIONS
PHOTO NEWS
RESOURCES
PREVIOUS ISSUES OF
THE EMAGAZINE
Youth Academy for Latino Leaders (Y.A.L.L.)
Written by Jacqueline Cabrera
Jacqueline is a Dominican-American, abstract artist
who has always been fascinated by the beauty of
nature and people. She studied sociology at Baruch
College in New York City, but as she pursued her
degree, she realized that there was more to life than
just theory. She had always been artistically inclined,
but she felt like she couldn’t create the same kind of
work as others.
What began as ideas swiftly transformed into
actionable steps. We convened regular meetings,
both in person and virtually. Several months later, the
Youth Academy for Latino Leaders (Y.A.L.L.) came into
being. A collaboration between the Dominican Community Center and Nuvance
Global Health Academy birthed Y.A.L.L. Its fundamental mission is to cultivate
college-ready students and, through them, foster informed, active Latino
communities that serve as assimilation hubs for newly arriving migrant families.
In January, our inaugural meeting took place. This provided an opportunity not
only to discuss the program but also to share details about our personal lives. As
weeks progressed, we forged stronger connections, establishing the bedrock of
positive and supportive relationships that would underpin the entire initiative.
Each of us contributed, ensuring that our voices were heard, and participation
was equal among all. I’d like to highlight Jason Nova, our DCC Secretary, who
maintained a vigilant eye on our timeliness and focus. He served as the architect
of this project, guiding our efforts to stay on track.
Crafting this endeavor proved to be an immensely rewarding experience for me.
Throughout my life, and I am confident this holds true for my peers as well, mentors
have played a significant role. Others often help us discover what we may not see
in ourselves, shaping our identities in the process.
The Youth Academy for Latino Leaders emerged from the collaboration of
community leaders in Danbury, our cherished city. The explicit objective was to
enhance the quality of life for our graduates. Drawing from community data and
our own experiences, we formulated the program’s objectives.
This goal will be achieved by ensuring our graduates acquire self-development
skills through the mentorship experiences provided by their mentors and facilitators.
Situated in Danbury, the Dominican Community Center is within the Alliance
Districts, where the lowest-performing schools in the state are located. Danbury’s
Next Generation Accountability Index, at 66.8, reflects the students’ readiness for
college. Our aspiration is to bridge this gap and improve our students’ college
outcomes.
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