After launching and completing a successful pilot run of mostly virtual encounters in 2021, LIFRC again partnered with the Equity Institute to bring to life La Cima Lopez: a leadership program designed to empower Latinx youth by equipping them with the life skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.
Based on the belief that strong students create strong schools, rather than the other way around, La Cima helps Lopez Latinx youth honor and walk the lines they often straddle between the world of biculturalism, helping them to not only develop a strong self-identity, but also a sense of empowerment to serve their school and their community.
In keeping with La Cima’s model of student-centered leadership, we have invited some of the youth leaders to share what it means to be a member of La Cima Lopez in their own words.
Is there something you want everyone to know about La Cima?
“I just really love this program. It’s gotten me extremely excited about graduation and my future. I want to make a great impact in the world! I hope La Cima doesn’t just continue; I hope it’s here to stay for generations! I would love my siblings to have the support of this amazing community so they can grow up feeling supported and appreciated in the same way.”
—Michelle
What does being part of La Cima Lopez mean for you?
“[Being a youth leader with] La Cima means being part of something bigger, being part of a group of other Hispanics like me. One of the things it has taught me is how to solve problems as a group, and that there are many ways to solve those problems. It’s a great way to talk about all the different topics to build trust, and also have fun.”
—Ulises
What is your favorite part about the monthly meetings?
“My favorite part of the monthly meetings is the safe space we created. It allows us to loosen up, play games and also talk about serious topics that affect us all and others without feeling judged. It’s a space where we all feel welcome.”
—Evelyn
What is your favorite part about joining La Cima Lopez?
“For me, La Cima gives me a chance to learn more about where I came from, and meet other Latinos who live here on Lopez and on surrounding islands. It’s helped me learn more about my family history. That’s why I loved visiting Yellow Island this year. I really love learning about the history of people and places.”
—Bryan
What is one thing you have learned since joining La Cima Lopez.
“One thing that participating in La Cima has taught me is what it means to be bi-cultural. Sometimes you can feel like you are neither from here nor there. La Cima showed me that I am not alone in that feeling. When you are born in one country, but raised in another, when you speak one language at home and another at school, it can feel like a burden when, actually, it’s a really great gift.”
—Juan
We are grateful for the talented leadership of facilitators Brenda Ochoa and Sergio Barrera, who work with Lopez student leaders to make this program a success.
La Cima Lopez is part of LIFRC’s larger goal to develop and deliver programs with diverse youth and adult leaders, rather than for them. Community-informed services like La Cima Lopez recognize that everyone on our island—most especially our youth!—make valuable contributions shaping our collective future.
Our partnership with Washington’s Equity Institute and Lopez Island School District is supported by OSPI’s Building Bridges funds. LIFRC is proud to have been selected for this competitive and prestigious grant for two consecutive years.
