Lori Kaplan

Being named Washingtonian of the Year is a crowning career achievement, but for Lori, it is just one of many awards and honors earned early-on. As executive director of the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), Lori has led it to its national prominence as an award winning network of youth programs in Washington DC since 1987. Under her direction, LAYC has helped guide thousands of low-income youth to better opportunity, while creating pioneering organizations and schools. Lori's leadership roles include a board member of Leadership Washington and a founding board member of The Nonprofit Roundtable. LAYC is one of three nonprofits honored twice, most recently in 2011, by The Washington Post for excellent management practices.

Great leaders are energizing leaders.  Tell me what energizes you most about your leadership in the Latin American Youth Center?
As I think back to my almost 33 years here, what energizes me hasn’t changed. It’s
the people. It’s the work we do and seeing the young people with challenges in
their lives and then seeing them overcome these challenges or obstacles. It’s
the great staff we have and the wonderful people who have come into the Center
over the years who have all played a role. In the end, the Youth Center is really about relationships.

Then, what energizes you most about these relationships within your career?
I’ve had the privilege of having a career that I can see how the work makes a tangible
difference in the lives of so many kids and families over the years. And I get to see it everyday. Basically, I’m an orchestra leader for an extraordinary band that has been willing to appreciate, support, and embrace the energy here at the Youth Center.

Would you describe yourself as a natural-born leader or one who has learned/acquired your leadership style along the way – or some of both?
Probably, a bit of both. We’re all a product of the generation that we were born into and I certainly was. I was born at the end of the baby-boomer generation and thought it was my destiny to have work that would make a difference in other people’s lives. When I walked into the Youth Center as a volunteer, I never dreamed this would become my life’s work. I’m really driven to succeed on behalf of others. I also don’t like to see injustice so I found myself rising to the occasion in meetings whether they were with a politician or a donor.

Your position requires you to lead among different levels that include staff, youth, families, donors, board of directors and politicians. How do you do that – effectively?
I decided along the way that most important to me is that we, the Center, were standing on really good work. And if we were doing that, I could go out promote, pitch and persuade. I knew that our work was really good and areas that we need to make better, we do. My bottom-line is a measurement that I use in the decision-making process.  I ask, “What is in the best interest for the young people and the families?”  . . .  it makes it much easier, as well.

From a cultural perspective, what are the challenges to reaching kids and families that include dozens of ethnic backgrounds?
One of the things that I love about the Youth Center is the diversity. We are like a mini-United Nations. The diversity is ever-changing from the variety of countries that represent the Latinos, to Afro-Latinos and Afro-Americans. I’ve found that culturally, family is a key
value.  What parents desire for their children is quite common — food, shelter, clothing, safety and education. Sadly, poverty puts a real roadblock in providing some or many of these. In addition, drugs, family violence, and mental health issues need to be intentionally addressed. There’s a sadness about poverty and getting the support that is needed for the children, as well as for the parents.

What’s been your biggest challenge?
Our biggest challenge is what I love the most. Change. The needs of the community change and the needs of the kids change so we’re an ever-changing story. Within every stage of that story, there is a new challenge that comes with growth or funding or retrenching. If it makes a difference in the lives of the kids or family, it’s our job to rise to the occasion. It’s been the challenge and the joy of the job.

How would you summarize the LAYC?
Last year, 4,020 kids participated in various programs in the Center. We’re a youth development center but also a licensed mental health facility, drug treatment site, and foster care facility. We have residential housing and have founded four chartered schools. All of these kids engage in a variety of educational, social and economic ways. The depth of the engagement depends on the specific needs of that specific kid. We also serve in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. DC is really of tale of two cities.  About one in every three children lives in poverty here in Washington, DC.

How can we help?  – both in broad and very specific ways.
There are so many ways — in volunteer work and pro-bono work, especially as clinicians, but also in the fields of education, mentoring and job training. We have an associate board of younger people.  Our big gala is in May and we’re always looking for people to help with the gala especially on the auction committee. It would be wonderful to look on the web-page, get to know us and see how you want to get involved.  More specifically, here are some of our immediate needs:

>  Our winter coat drive has been extended.  We need winter coats for kids, teens and parents who may not have any this winter.  (Please ask yourself:  Will you start a coat drive in your office or within your neighborhood over the next few weeks?)

>  Small gifts for teens.  We give holiday gifts to teens who may not receive any such as a movie pass for two or $10 gift cards to places like Target or Best Buy.  (Will you start an office campaign to gather gift cards for teens to help them celebrate the season?)

>  We can always use computers and laptops for our young people.  (Are you receiving a new computer over the holiday and can you donate your existing one? Or is your office getting upgraded computers and want to donate several?)

>  Our recreation center needs a new pool table and ping-pong table.  (Do you have one in really good condition that your family has out-grown or doesn’t use?)

>  Our main kitchen needs new appliances such as a new range, refrigerator, freezer, cabinets, etc. actually the whole kitchen needs remodeling, but all of the basics are in need of updating.   (Are you able to connect Lori with an appliance/cabinet store, ideally like Home Depot or Lowes who can help in one way or another?)

The drop-off site is our anchor site at 1419 Columbia Rd., NW, WDC or please call Aracely at 202/ 319-2253 and arrangements can be made for items to be dropped off at the Maryland sites.

(As a side-note, the questions asked by each need are from me, as publisher.  After visiting the LAYC and seeing the staff, volunteers and kids in-action, I hope you’ll consider to give one more gift this season to someone who would so greatly appreciate your generosity — and you will know that it’s making a real difference for someone right here in our city.  Thank you!)