About the Miami-Dade Division

The Youth Leadership Development (YLD) Miami-Dade Division office is located in Wynwood, which is the historically Puerto Rican neighborhood of Miami, with operations on the Beaches, Central & North Miami and Homestead.

The YLD services in Miami-Dade are provided through two main components: (1) Educational Talent Search (ETS) (college preparation and career awareness) and (2) prevention (substance abuse and crime). The ETS component is one of eight federally funded TRIO programs. Its goal is "to increase the number of youths from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in post-secondary education institutions of their choice". ETS is the foundation for all of our services. The prevention component focuses on all aspects of minimizing at risk behaviors including, but not limited to drug & alcohol use and violence & gang participation.

During 2009-2010, a total of 881 youths were served through 19 ASPIRA Leadership Clubs, of which 16 operated in schools (eight in high schools and eight in middle schools, including the three ASPIRA Charter Schools) and three were Outreach Clubs, including a College Club.

Of the 881 youths served:

• 95% (836 students) stayed in school and were promoted to the next grade level;
• 152 were seniors of which 99% (150 students) graduated; and
• 99% (148 graduates) of the graduates enrolled into a post-secondary institution.

YLD Miami-Dade Division Office

Our programs are funded by multiple local, state and federal funding sources.

City of Miami

City of North Miami

Department of Children & Families

Miami-Dade County

The Children's Trust

United States Department of Education