CYLA (Civic Youth Leadership Academy)
Academia de Liderazgo Juvenil Cívico
En Español creates pathways that allow students to continue growing year after year. Students who begin learning with us are supported as they progress into advanced programs - CYLA. While new learners are welcomed into structured, multi-week sessions that promote consistency and retention.
By making learning engaging, welcoming, and community-centered, En Español reduces barriers to participation and helps students stay connected to education over time.
Rather than operating as isolated programs, CYLA functions as a leadership pipeline.
Students begin as learners in multi-week, hands-on sessions and progress into leadership roles where they support peers, design projects, and contribute to community initiatives.
Educational Growth Through Hands-On Learning
Our programs combine STEAM/STEM activities with leadership education to make learning active and meaningful. Through hands-on projects—such as engineering challenges, creative builds, and experiments—students develop key skills including:
- Communication
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Generosity
- Problem-solving
- Responsibility
- Teamwork
- Trial-and-error learning
- Vision and goal-setting
- Public speaking and storytelling
This approach helps students build confidence, ask questions freely, and engage in learning without fear of failure.
Leadership in Action
Leadership development is central to En Español’s mission. Through CYLA, students move beyond participation and begin taking ownership—supporting peers, contributing ideas, and stepping into leadership roles.
Students practice leadership through real-world service opportunities connected to our programs. One example is Joy in a Box, a service-learning initiative where students create get-well cards and help assemble sponsor-funded kits using new materials. These kits are designed to support youth well-being and social-emotional learning, allowing students to practice empathy, responsibility, and generosity in meaningful ways.
Older students and volunteers also grow through a leadership pathway that supports teaching, organization, and outreach across En Español’s programs.
Amplifying Voices Through Publishing
En Español Press extends learning beyond the classroom by publishing bilingual books and educational resources. This initiative also supports underserved or first-time authors who may lack access to traditional publishing pathways, helping them share their own stories and perspectives.
Through Books Without Borders, these published materials are distributed to hospitals, schools, libraries, and underserved communities locally and internationally—expanding access to literacy and representation.
Community Connection and Service
En Español’s impact extends beyond individual programs. Through cultural and community events and partnerships at the local, regional, and international levels, the organization fosters connection, inclusion, and collaboration.
By donating books, creating service opportunities, and engaging with community leaders, En Español supports learning, care, and awareness beyond the classroom.
Sustainable Impact
En Español is building systems that last. Programs such as CYLA, Joy in a Box, En Español Press, and Books Without Borders are designed to continue year after year, supported by leadership development pipelines and growing organizational capacity.
As the organization expands, En Español has strengthened its ability to coordinate volunteers, publish and distribute educational resources, and deliver consistent, community-based programming.
Estudiantes Destacados
Student Spotlights
Nuestra serie de entrevistas para jóvenes innovadores se centra en nuestros estudiantes y voluntarios. Hablamos con ellos sobre cómo STEM es importante en sus vidas y los desafíos y situaciones que han superado en su vida. Queremos inspirar un amor por la ciencia y la innovación, ya que creemos que STEM es uno de los campos que más puede crecer. Queremos empoderar a los futuros desarrolladores, innovadores y científicos del mañana.
Our Community Innovators Interview Series focuses on our students and volunteers. We talk to them about how STEM is important in their lives and the challenges and situations they have overcome in their lives. We want to inspire a love of science and innovation, as we believe STEM is one of the fields that can grow the most. We want to empower the future developers, innovators and scientists of tomorrow.