Last week, DPR Foundation folks presented a $75,000 check to the Latin American Youth Center-Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (LAYC-MMYC). LAYC-MMYC is one of 15 organizations that the DPR Foundation is supporting this year.

DPR Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager Jeff Vertucci and DPR Foundation "champion" Alison Lyons presented the check to Maryland Managing Director Luisa Montero and LAYC Chief Development Officer Elliott Gaskins, along with dozens of youth and AmeriCorps service members and volunteers. In addition to the award, DPR gifted a digital camera to encourage LAYC-MMYC staff to share great pictures of their work with youth. The event took place at Nicholas Orem Middle School in Hyattsville, Maryland where guests enjoyed gourmet cupcakes.

This grant marks the fifth year in a row that the DPR Foundation has supported LAYC-MMYC programs. Over the years, the Foundation has contributed more than $250,000 to LAYC-MMYC. The organization provides first aid training, cultural enrichment, nutrition, summer programs and physical activities to middle school youth.

The DPR Foundation formed in 2008. It is a company-wide, focused outreach to help children who fall short of their potential due to socio-economic challenges. For 2012-2013, the DPR Foundation distributed a grand total of $845,000 to support all of the organizations selected ($750,000 in grants with an additional $95,000 in discretionary funds to be disbursed regionally for the year). Since 2008, the Foundation has awarded more than $2.4 million to 21 different organizations focused on providing community support to grade school and high school-aged children.