Friends of Latino Youth was started in 2020 by a group of teachers working primarily with POC at alternative schools. Grants were received for a school trip to New York for an art history/arts engagement trip that COVID really messed up. Since the aftermath of COVID, Friends has continued to work to bring more enrichment to high school and has worked with Ingenuity on several grant projects, including a 1 year, $10,000 grant to have students go on glass blowing field trips to learn the art and science of glass fusing, glass blowing, and furnace glass. They have also acquired a 3 year grant to work with Johnny Lange Films to make a documentary about the local history of Latino Youth High School, working with community members, students, teachers (past and present) as well as other stakeholders in the Pilsen/Little Village communities. Most recently, MSI granted a $50,000 grant to update/upgrade the STEAM lab, classes, and opportunities at Latino Youth High School to purchase hydroponics equipment, robotics, and to offer after school programming to high school students.  Three teachers received grants to take students into nature for camping, hiking, and poetry.