MEET THE TEAM
YLYS was created by a group of passionate partners interested in working with Indianapolis youth. Together, and with input from the community, they envisioned a program where teens could learn to share their stories and embrace them in a fun, positive, and inspiring environment.
Silvia Bigatti
YLYS Academic Team Lead
A native of Buenos Aires, Silvia has lived in Argentina, the United States and Mexico, and has traveled to several other countries. She and her family have lived in Indianapolis since she started working as a Professor at IUPUI in 2001. Currently, she serves as an Associate Professor at the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health on the IUPUI campus. Silvia provides the team with expertise from a research standpoint. She ensures that the team continues to provide sound and culturally-appropriate programming. Silvia is a co-founder of Strong Families, Bright Futures. Silvia is a mother of three and a grandmother of two, and has a large extended family as the 5th of six siblings; she spends most of her free time enjoying her family. When not with family, Silvia likes to travel and read, and spend time with her husband, four dogs, and cat.
Virna Diaz
YLYS Community Team Lead
Virna grew up in the beautiful South American country of Venezuela and moved to Indiana as an adult. Virna is passionate about serving the community and has years of experience doing so. She has been the Executive Director of the Latino Health Organization for 7 years. In her role with YLYS, Virna serves as the link to the community that the team serves and manages the program from a community standpoint. With her outgoing personality and ability to connect to people, she is a strong asset to our team. Virna is also a co-founder of Strong Families, Bright Futures. In her time away from work, Virna loves to spend time with her family. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, volunteering, and crafting.
Monica Medina
YLYS Logdistics Lead
As the former Executive Director of a multiservice community center, The Hispanic Center, Monica brings an interdisciplinary understanding of urban issues and continues to preserve a vast network of community partners. She now is a Clinical Associate Professor and Interim Director of the Center for Urban and Multicultural Education (CUME) at the IUPUI School of Education. In her role with YLYS, Monica brings a multitude of experience in working with youth, running youth programs and camps, and keeps the team on track with the logistics of the program. Monica continues to give back to the community in her spare time. She is involved on various Boards including the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis, Concord Neighborhood Center, and the Indiana ACT Board.
The YLYS Team would not be complete without our valuable program partners in the following areas:
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Resiliency Building
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Physical Activity
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Music
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Art
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Theatre
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Technology
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Logistics
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Student Mentors
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Student Assistants