Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen of Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) discusses the nature of community organizations to the LLA class. Photo by Kateri Morris

LLA class members take a moment to write cards for local veterans. Photo by Kateri Morris

LAPS News:

Leadership Los Alamos, Class of 2024, held their first session Oct. 20, where they learned about various community organizations and local charities within Northern New Mexico.

It is an opportunity for class members to dive into the variety of services offered, contributions made, interorganizational relationship collaborations, sources of funding, and current volunteer opportunities. As the session chair, Bernadette Lauritzen, Executive Director of Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA), facilitated the day’s activities. Guest speakers included Kathy Keith, Director of the LANL Community Programs Office; Jillian Rubio, Executive Director of the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC); Mitsi Willard, Executive Director of Family Strengths Network (FSN); Jack Allison, RN and Executive Director of Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service (LAVNS); and David Izraelevitz, Founder and Chair of the Los Alamos Community Foundation. These community leaders were instrumental in informing the class of the purpose and value of their organizations and were able to leave the class with some advice to enhance their philanthropy.

The class continued the day with hands-on activities or volunteer work at the Los Alamos Animal Shelter, Family Strengths Network, Teen Center, Youth Activity Center, and United Church of Los Alamos; and ended the day with a community organizations fair at the Senior Center with members from Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Friends of Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation, Los Alamos Animal Shelter, YMCA-Los Alamos, Pajarito Environmental Education Center, Family Strengths Network, Los Alamos Community Foundation, Los Alamos Retired & Senior Organization, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Leadership Los Alamos is a non-profit organization whose mission is to identify current and emerging leaders in Los Alamos and surrounding communities, to enhance their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing the community.

Each class learns about a variety of topics like community organizations, cultural and history, youth, education, local government, economic development, and environmental issues. For more information go to: Leadership Los Alamos – An educational organization dedicated to the future of Los Alamos

Los Alamos Community Foundation Founder and Chair David Izraelevitz discusses the different types of boards and key aspects of the LACF. Photo by Kateri Morris

Several LLA class members help set up for an event as part of their volunteer time. Photo by Kateri Morris

LLA class members rake leaves at the United Church of Los Alamos. Photo by Kateri Morris