Welcome to NLCI’s National Forum!

I am so pleased to welcome all of you as we gather to create a brighter future for young Latinos. Since its inception, the National Latino Children’s Institute has been in the forefront of not only creating initiatives that help communities solve some of the challenges facing young Latinos, but also in bringing together diverse groups to discuss the issues. This year is no exception. We are gathered today to discuss a grave challenge—how to make our schools and our communities stronger, safer, better so that young Latinos can succeed and flourish. I am proud to stand with NLCI as we move forward.

I am also proud of the La Promesa de un Futuro Brillante programs and their youth who have come here to take part in creating an advocacy agenda with NLCI. You are the ones that are in the trenches, who work with young people every day and face challenges that could dishearten anyone. But you keep on fighting. Thank you for all that you do. I hope that you will continue to support NLCI and know that the board of directors and I honor and support all of you.

Finally, I hope that all of you will join NLCI tomorrow as we travel to the Senate for the El Día de los Niños celebration and press event; and then to have a conversation with the experts at the Pew Hispanic Center.

¡Que viván los niños!

Sincerely,

Henry L. Solano
Chair