Future Leaders of America, 8/18/22, Vol. 36

Est

. 1982

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FUTURE

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Developing the next generation of socially conscious leaders.

Our Story Future Leaders of America (FLA) turns 40 this year! This is a milestone accomplishment that few organizations reach, let alone organizations founded and led by people of color.

FLA was founded in 1982 as a grassroots response to concerns about the high incidence of destructive behaviors in Latinx youth, including high school dropouts, gang activity, substance abuse, lack of parent involvement, and limited civic engagement, amongst other high-risk behaviors. For the past four decades, FLA has created stronger communities and provided a positive outlet for youth development through our education and leadership programs. FLA develops socially conscious leaders who are empowered to change the landscape of our civic institutions for the better by creating a college-going culture. Since its inception over 9,400 alumni have taken the call to leadership by becoming changemakers in education, nonprofits, government, businesses, law, and healthcare. Thus creating a more equitable and just world.

Today, Future Leaders embraces its rich and longstanding history by renewing its commitment to ensuring Latinx youth achieve their full potential.

Our mission Youth Resiliency

Education Advocacy

Higher Education

FLA develops youth resiliency and leadership to create long-lasting systemic change by empowering and mobilizing youth leaders to advocate for policies that improve their lives and the lives of their peers and their communities.

Meet Paloma Garcia-Lopez

An alumna from 1990 who has been a champion of social justice and education throughout her life and has a long history with FLA, which she attributes as vital in her success in becoming a changemaker at just 15 years old. Currently, she is the Associate Director of Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Paloma attended Stanford University and Stanford Graduate School of Education. She was a founding member of the FLA chapter in Santa Barbara and was FLA’s first Development Director. To this day, Paloma continues to volunteer with FLA and now serves on the Board of Directors for the FLA-East Bay chapter.

“I think about FLA every time I am recruited to lead a new organization or take on a new client. FLA was the catalyst for my true self to emerge! Thank you FLA! You are my champion charity!”

Meet Jesus Ramos

A rising sophomore majoring in Ethnicity, Race, & Migration at Yale University, who joined the FLAmilia in 2017. Jesus was born and raised in Oxnard, where he became involved with the Port Hueneme region’s first youth council, serving as the President for two years, and today as a volunteer. Jesus emphasized that he would not have grown to be who he is without the push and motivation that FLA gave him. As a first-generation and low-income student, Jesus always had a vision of pursuing higher education which FLA helped make possible.

“FLA holds a special place in my heart. FLA is an organization where I can be myself and continue to grow as a leader. That is why I continue to support FLA and volunteer whenever I can. At the end of the day, I know that I have a FLAmilia who will be there to support me.”

40 YEArs OF Impact 9,400+ Student Lives Changed

83.1%

Saw Themselves As a Leader

87%

Improved Their Public Speaking

90%

Learned How to Impact Policy

87%

Learned More About Their Ethnic/Racial Identity

PO Box 51637 Oxnard, CA 93031 | (805) 642-6208 | info@futureleadersnow.org

Our Programs

To remove financial barriers for low-income students, all programming is at no cost.

Youth Leadership Conference

Our flagship program provides students the opportunity to engage in leadership through FLA’s peer-topeer model that opens the doors to higher education. Students engage in public speaking, brainstorming, and team building, allowing them to grow into their own leadership while also nurturing relationships.

Future Leaders of America Master Achievers (FLAMA)

A youth-led space that engages young people with leadership, advocacy, and educational opportunities.

The group meets on a bi-weekly basis.

Family Leadership Conference

3-day conference that builds bridges between the Latinx community and the American school system.

The entire family unit is educated on the importance of higher education, being an advocate for their child’s education, and building positive family communication.

University Seminars

Give students access to higher education by informing them about university admission requirements, financial aid options, and where they can find college mentors who are FLA alumni. Many FLA students will be the first in their families to attend college who come from immigrant backgrounds.

Support A Student $40 $700 $5000

You can sponsor one student to attend FLAMA for an entire year.

You can support youth leadership development by sponsoring one student to attend YLC. You can create a college-going culture for 100 students by sponsoring a University Seminar.

Donate Today At