It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Youth Leadership Development (YLD) Miami-Dade Division. The agency started its YLD operations more than 28 years ago in Wynwood- the historic Puerto Rican neighborhood of Miami. Over the years the operations expanded into YLD programming in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and Charter Schools throughout Miami-Dade. Until recently the YLD M-D programs were offered through three divisions: Greater Miami & the Beaches, North and South. In late 2008, those three divisions were formally consolidated into one: the Miami-Dade Division.

As the new Director of the M-D Division, I am excited about what 2009 has to offer. We look forward to continuing to serve at-risk youth at the middle school, high school and college levels. This year we have stretched ourselves to also provide excellent service to college students, high school drop-outs and parents.

We know that in this field you must not "live a lukewarm life, but one with passion" as our founder Dra. Antonia Pantoja once stated. Therefore, we commit ourselves to our ASPIRANTES - to empowering them to reach and exceed their educational potential. We put our own desires aside while those of Miami-Dade's youth & families take center stage.

To learn more about the YLD programs and services provided in Miami-Dade, click here.

I look forward to a year of new beginnings and educational excellence.

Daisy C. Franklin, MSW
Miami-Dade County Director