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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Children & Youth, Civil Rights, Community Coalitions, Education, Minority Rights, Youth Development - Citizenship
Mission: The Bert Corona Leadership Institute (BCLI), is a ?non partisan? multicultural agency founded [in April] to train, develop, and build networks of youth and adult civic community leaders. Special emphasis is placed on civic participation, citizenship, and the political process. As such, the Institute has developed the motto of "Participation, Empowerment, and Leadership.? Bert Corona BCLI?s mission was inspired by the vision and experience of Bert Corona (1918-2001). Born to immigrant parents in the border town of El Paso in 1918 and inspired by his father?s participation in the Mexican Revolution, Corona dedicated his life to fighting economic and social injustice faced by Latinos. His untiring activism, based on coalition-building and community mobilization, spanned much of the twentieth century. As a young man in the 1930?s, Bert Corona took part in the ?great organizing campaigns? for the newly formed Congress of Industrial Organizations among various ethnic groups in the Los Angeles area. These early union drives infused the Latino community with a new vitality, creating groups such as the Mexican American Movement, the National Congress of Spanish-Speaking Peoples, and the Association National Mexico-Americana. Furthermore, Bert Corona worked alongside Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers of America. In the political sphere, he served as Co-chair for both Linden Johnson?s and Bobby Kennedy's presidential campaigns in California. Experience in Democracy Leadership Program Bert Corona?s most notable contribution is his philosophy that empowerment of disenfranchised Latinos can be achieved through community mobilization and organization. He also believed that the key to effective advocacy is through a clear understanding of the principles of democracy. With this belief, Bert Corona envisioned an institute where the youth from these communities could be trained to become future leaders and advocates. BCLI embraces the spirit and energy of Bert Corona by developing and delivering unique ?hands on? leadership training programs aimed at empowering disenfranchised Latinos. The Experience in Democracy Leadership Program is one such program with a special emphasis on migrant youth.
Programs: The Experience in Democracy Leadership Program (EIDLP) provides a customized approach to experience and explore civic responsibility, and gain a greater understanding on how democracy works in America. The EIDLP prides itself on promoting leadership and empowerment through direct participation in the political process. Participants are recruited from migrant education regions around the US (including: California, Texas, Oregon, etc.). Through hands-on interaction in moderate size groups of 25-34, delegates visit and meet with congressional representatives, house and senate committee members, and take part in leadership workshops about labor, business, civic, and community issues. The program uses a cadre of qualified trainers from various professions including labor, congress, agency officials, and national organizations. The program also provides follow-up to all its graduates through newsletters, email support, and opportunities for internship opportunities. At the end of the program delegates are equipped with the tools to help them understand the mechanics of public policy, take active roles as advocates for the communities, and realize the relationship between citizens and government in developing and shaping Americas future. Program Components EIDLP operates in tandem with the congressional term (February through November). It is a one week long program (6 nights from Sunday to Saturday) that offers its participants (referred to as delegates) a wide array of educational activities, including: ? Training, Advocacy & Experiential Learning -- Delegates spend 3 days interacting and meeting with congressional representatives in both House and Senate, congressional staff, and Majority and Minority committee members; briefings with Democratic and Republic National Committees; and training and networking with local and national organizations ? Developing Speaking Points for Congress -- Delegates debate and confront social issues, building consensus on a specific agenda. This agenda is developed into speaking points and used in meetings and presentations to different members of congress. ? Seminars &Workshops -- Delegates benefit from various leadership workshops on public policy, grassroots development, labor, business, advocacy, and other relevant topics of interest to the group. ? Public Speaking & Oral Presentations -- Individual and group presentations are part of the week of training and closing exercises for the program. Delegates present their speaking points to congressional representatives and other professionals. ? Journal Entries -- Groups use journal entries to document their observations.
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This organization's nonprofit status may have been revoked or it may have merged with another organization or ceased operations.