City First bank Honors the Latin American Youth Center and the Youthbuild Public Charter School with its Baptist Award

The Baptist Award honors City First’s founding President and CEO, Debbi Hurd Baptist.

[Washington, DC] – City First Bank is honoring the Latin American Youth Center and the YouthBuild Public Charter School with its 2006 Baptist Community Development Award. The award was created to recognize customers who exemplify Debbi Baptist’s innovation, energy and dedication to the community.

The Latin American Youth Center is a network of community based youth centers, charter schools, and social enterprises with a shared commitment to help youth become successful young adults with the skills they need to succeed educationally, professionally and personally and to become engaged in their communities. LAYC serves over 4,000 low-income minority children, youth, young adults and their families annually with its educational, recreational and social services.

The YouthBuild Public Charter School began as a program of the Latin American Youth Center and opened its doors as a public charter school in September 2005. In YouthBuild, low-income young people ages 16-24 work toward their GED while learning job skills by building affordable housing for homeless and low-income people in their community. A strong emphasis is placed on leadership development and civic engagement. During its 12 year history, LAYC’s YouthBuild program has produced more than 90 units of low-income or transitional housing in Washington, D.C.

The award reads: “For your work demonstrating extraordinary impact, innovation, and a commitment to community development in Washington D.C.’s neighborhoods. The Baptist Award honors Debbi Hurd Baptist, who dedicated her life’s work to expanding economic opportunity.”

The award will be presented at City First’s annual meeting to be held at its headquarters at 1432 U Street, NW, Washington, D.C. on Thursday, September 27th at 10:00 a.m.