TRL Supports Latinx Youth Summit

Timberland Regional Library has once again partnered with the Hispanic Roundtable and other community sponsors to organize the annual Latinx Youth Summit, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Evergreen State College.

During the Latinx Youth Summit (LYS), Latinx high school students from Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties have an opportunity to learn about post-secondary education pathways, celebrate their multi-cultural heritage and focus on their future, said Betsy Storey, public services specialist at Olympia Timberland Library.

“This vital and unique community event affords students in TRL's five-county district access to the tools they need to build the bridge from high school to college and beyond,” Storey said.

Students can register online at https://evergreenlys2022.planningpod.com/. They will receive packets with the event information and agenda when they arrive at the summit.

This is the 20^th year for the Latinx Youth Summit (LYS), and Timberland Regional Library (TRL) has supported the event for 19 years. Storey, who has helped organize the LYS for several years on behalf of TRL, is passionate about that support.

“TRL can offer a special set of college and career resources to students and their families, in English and Spanish, to help them achieve their goals,” Storey said. “In this way, our partnership with Hispanic Roundtable to present LYS dovetails perfectly, as we are united in the same mission to provide all youth with information, opportunity and hope for their future.”

This year’s summit will feature nationally acclaimed Mexican poet Yosimar Reyes. Reyes is a LAMBDA Literary Fellow and recipient of the Undocupoets Fellowship.

According to a summary of the LYS agenda, Reyes will be followed by workshops, lunch, exhibitor fair with activities and a raffle, a panel discussion of Latinx alumni, and music by Sin Fronteras. Translation services will be available

Storey said the event is rich with knowledge and inspiration for students.

“The theme for this year's Summit takes inspiration from a Mexican proverb, ‘We are seeds: they wanted to bury us, but they forgot we are seeds,’” Storey said. “This is a particularly apt sentiment as we foster our youth through the stress and anxiety they have experienced during and after the pandemic to overcome barriers with confidence.”

Students with a TRL library card can access education and career resources at TRL.org by clicking on “Learn,” then “Reference Database” followed by “Jobs, Education, and Practice Tests.”

Hosting duties for the LYS rotate between South Puget Sound Community College, Grays Harbor Community College, Saint Martin's University, The Evergreen State College and Centralia College.