The Long Island Latino Teachers Association (LILTA) will continue to expand its youth leadership programs thanks to a $50,000 grant from National Grid, at a time when public funding cuts have put several of its educational conferences at risk.
LILTA, a non-profit organization whose mission is to contribute to increasing the graduation rate of high school students and provide them with tools to achieve their academic and professional goals, has for years developed leadership conferences that connect young people with professionals from different areas.
The motto of one of these initiatives is “Women leaders paving paths for young women,” while its program for young men similarly seeks to inspire new generations through example and mentoring.
During these conferences, students have the opportunity to learn the stories of professionals from different sectors, including lawyers, police officers, cosmetologists, scientists, social workers, communicators, teachers, writers and other professionals who share their experiences of struggle, perseverance and improvement.
The goal is for young people to learn about different careers, broaden their perspectives and envision an academic and professional future.
Support comes at a critical time
According to LILTA, the organization was receiving approximately $27,000 from Suffolk County to hold 4 leadership conferences in collaboration with Stony Brook University: 2 on the main campus and 2 on the Southampton campus. These initiatives reached nearly 900 students from approximately 15 to 20 school districts on Long Island.
However, in 2025 the funds were significantly reduced to $5,000 and in 2026 they were approximately $5,100. The reduction forced LILTA to cancel the two conferences traditionally held in Southampton.
In this context, National Grid’s support became an important piece to guarantee the continuity and expansion of the program, said Dafny J. Irizarry, president and founder of the Long Island Latino Teachers Association (LILTA).
«For National Grid it is very important to give back to the community. We are very proud to support LILTA, especially as we are investing in the youth of our community,” said Yaryl Gonzalez, National Grid representative and recently recognized by LILTA with the Education Partner Award.
Gonzalez also highlighted that National Grid has not only provided financial support, but its employees have also participated directly in the conferences as panelists, sharing their professional experiences with the students and talking to them about different job opportunities.
Thus, National Grid also seeks to make young people aware of the possibilities that exist within the public service industry. The company has internship programs and other professional opportunities for young people who want to begin exploring the world of work. For some of these opportunities, particularly within the media, participants are required to be at least 18 years old.
For Gonzalez, this type of approach is essential because many students may be unaware of the variety of careers available beyond traditional professions. “It is important that young people know the different opportunities that exist and that they can see first-hand the possibilities they have to build their future,” he said.
The grant awarded to LILTA is part of a series of initiatives through which National Grid supports community organizations and projects on Long Island.
On August 27, company employees participated in an activity at the Elmont Cultural Center, where they contributed more than 50 school supplies for students in the community.
Additionally, during the month of September, National Grid volunteers participated in garden improvement work at the C and Guidance Counseling Center located in Valley Stream, as part of their community service efforts. “This support for LILTA is just one of many efforts we make to support our community,” Gonzalez emphasized.
More conferences for 2026-27
Irizarry indicated that thanks to the $50,000 grant from National Grid, combined with the support of the organizations that participated as sponsors of the first “LILTA Golf Outing”, the organization hopes to once again expand the scope of its programs.
For the 2026-2027 school year, LILTA plans to offer 6 leadership conferences for Long Island youth: 2 at Nassau Community College, 2 at Stony Brook University–Main Campus, and 2 at Stony Brook University–Southampton Campus.
For LILTA, this new funding represents not only the possibility of recovering programs that had been lost due to budget cuts, but also a great opportunity to expand its impact.
The organization will continue to work to connect young people with leaders, resources, universities and professionals who can help them envision and achieve their academic and career goals.
In a community where preparing new generations represents an investment in the future of Long Island, the alliance between LILTA and National Grid demonstrates how collaboration between educational organizations, businesses and community leaders can open doors for hundreds of students.
Yaryl Gonzalez also pointed out that National Grid has not only provided financial support, but its employees have also participated directly in the conferences as panelists, sharing their professional experiences with students and talking to them about different job opportunities.
