Youth Leadership Development
Program Description
The Youth Leadership Development Program (YLD) assists transition-aged students to acquire the necessary skills to find employment or go to college. Young adults with disabilities are referred to service providers like Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWC), Project Higher, Center for Accommodation Student Services (CASS), and many more.
Under the YLD umbrella, Volar is honored to host the well-renowned Youth Leadership Forum which strives to empower and educate youth with disabilities and to give them the tools necessary to thrive as they transition into adult life.
Youth Independent Living Skills classes take place every Tuesday in Volar’s conference room. Participants learn various essential skills needed to live independently, such as time management, hygiene, money management, communication/advocacy, social media safety, and cooking.
Saturday Health and Fitness classes are also provided. Classes are modified to meet personal needs, range of mobility, and are open to anyone who has a disability regardless of age.
YLD Team
Alina G. Arredondo
Assistant Coordinator
Education: Master of Social Work
Experience: Employed by Volar CIL for 2 years and have volunteered with the El Paso Del Norte Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) for seven years
Interests: I enjoy singing, drawing, spending time with my family and my dog, and playing videogames.
Disability: Phocomelia
Favorite Quote: “Life does not always go as planned, there will be times when you fail, but it is not about the failure but about how you pick yourself up.”
Youth Leadership Development
Program Description
The Youth Leadership Development Program (YLD) assists transition-aged students to acquire the necessary skills to find employment or go to college. Young adults with disabilities are referred to service providers like Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWC), Project Higher, Center for Accommodation Student Services (CASS), and many more.
Under the YLD umbrella, Volar is honored to host the well-renowned Youth Leadership Forum which strives to empower and educate youth with disabilities and to give them the tools necessary to thrive as they transition into adult life.
Youth Independent Living Skills classes take place every Tuesday in Volar’s conference room. Participants learn various essential skills needed to live independently, such as time management, hygiene, money management, communication/advocacy, social media safety, and cooking.
Saturday Health and Fitness classes are also provided. Classes are modified to meet personal needs, range of mobility, and are open to anyone who has a disability regardless of age.
Alina G. Arredondo
Youth Leadership Development Assistant Coordinator
Education: Master of Social Work
Experience: Employed by Volar CIL for 2 years and have volunteered with the El Paso Del Norte Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) for seven years
Interests: I enjoy singing, drawing, spending time with my family and my dog, and playing videogames.
Disability: Phocomelia
Favorite Quote: “Life does not always go as planned, there will be times when you fail, but it is not about the failure but about how you pick
yourself up.”