Latinos Unidos Siempre Youth Organization

Latinos Unidos Siempre (L.U.S.) is a youth-centered organization based in Salem, OR that specializes in empowering young people through educational, cultural, social, and political development programs. Since 1996, L.U.S. has served as a dynamic force in the Salem community, working with youth ages 12 to 25 to build leadership capacity and foster civic engagement. The organization provides comprehensive programming that combines popular education with grassroots organizing, enabling young people to understand and address systemic issues affecting their communities. L.U.S. operates through a core leadership team of 15 active youth supported by an alumni advisory committee, allowing the organization to reach approximately 80 youth annually with intensive weekly programming for 25 members. The organization has successfully developed multiple community initiatives, including the annual Urban Art Fest, which promotes acceptance of urban youth culture in Salem, and ongoing community service projects such as their signature Thanksgiving dinner for low-income families that has operated continuously since the organization's founding. L.U.S. also coordinates collaborative campaigns and advocacy efforts, having received recognition from Basic Rights Oregon for their Uniting Communities project that brought together Latino and LGBT youth. The organization's track record demonstrates significant impact, with over 1,000 youth having participated as members or affiliates since inception, and alumni now serving in leadership positions at partner organizations throughout the region.