Finding Their Voice, Knowing Their Rights: MCF’s New Youth Leadership Program
The Miguel Contreras Foundation proudly launched its Know Your Rights (KYR) Program on February 11, 2026, bringing together a cohort of 20 students from across the Miguel Contreras Learning Complex.
Through weekly Wednesday sessions, students are engaging in a dynamic, stipend-supported program that blends workforce readiness, civic education, and leadership development - with students themselves at the center of it all.
This program reflects what MCF is all about: investing in young people, uplifting their voices, and supporting them as they step into their power as leaders in their communities.
Funded through the City of Los Angeles in partnership with the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and the Workforce Development Board (WDB), KYR is part of a broader effort to support youth in communities impacted by economic instability and immigration enforcement.
At a critical moment for Los Angeles, this program ensures that young people have access to accurate information about their rights, opportunities to engage civically, and pathways into the workforce. We are also incredibly grateful to Unite Here Local 11 for hosting us and providing a space where students can come together, learn, and build community each week.
At the heart of KYR is student voice. Participants are not only learning about their workplace rights, the legacy of Miguel Contreras, and the history of the Los Angeles labor movement - they are also developing the confidence to speak up, share their stories, and lead.
In our pre-survey, students shared that they want to “learn my rights,” “build the courage to speak up for my community,” and “develop leadership skills so I can guide and educate others.” Another student expressed a desire to “be more confident talking in front of others,” while others emphasized their goal of advocating for their communities at rallies, protests, and beyond. These reflections show just how powerful it is when young people are given the tools, knowledge, and space to grow.
We are just at the beginning of this journey. The KYR program will continue through August, with students moving into internship placements that connect their learning to real-world experience. We are excited to see how this cohort continues to grow, lead, and create change in their communities. We can’t wait to see what these students will accomplish - and we look forward to keeping our community updated along the way!
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To learn more about the Miguel Contreras Foundation, visit www.miguelcontrerasfoundation.org.
Miguel Contreras Foundation
2130 W. James M. Wood Blvd. • Los Angeles, CA 90006 📞 (213) 805-6822 | 🌐
miguelcontrerasfoundation.org 📧 info@miguelcontrerasfoundation.org
Empowering the next generation of leaders through equity, opportunity, and union careers.