The recipient entity's physical address:
           40446 Old Hickory Ave
Gonzales, LA 70737

The recipient entity's mailing address (if different):
           40446 Old Hickory Ave
Gonzales, LA 70737

Type of Entity (for instance, a nonprofit corporation):  Non-Profit Corporation

If the entity is a corporation, list the names of the incorporators:
          

The last four digits of the entity's taxpayer ID number:  2456

What is the dollar amount of the request?  $65,000

What type of request is this?  General Appropriation

Is this entity in good standing with the Secretary of State?  Yes

Provide the name of each member of the recipient entity's governing board and officers:
           Cheryle S. Totten -Executive Director
40446 Old Hickory Ave
Gonzales, LA 70737

Paula LeBlanc – President/Chairman
18247 Manchac Place South
Prairieville, LA 70769

Lisa Clingan
40415 Sycamore Ave
Gonzales, LA 70737

Danny Bosch
2912 Woodgrove Way
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Keith Billiot
701 Lyerly Ridge Rd NW
Concord, NC 28027

Lisa Mongrue
3119 Valcour Aime Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70820

Ryan Haynie
2738 McConnell Dr
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Charlie Heath
18217 Bellingrath Lakes Ave
Central, LA 70739

John Ryan McGehee
5480 Wisconsin Ave, Apt 907
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Meredith McGovern
422 Antietam Drive
Bossier City, LA 71112

Tayvian Allen
18010 River Landing
Prairieville, LA 70769

Provide a summary of the project or program:
           Project Summary: Youth Legislature of Louisiana Statewide Expansion

Youth Legislature of Louisiana is a two-day, hands-on civic leadership experience that empowers middle school students in grades 6–8 to understand state government, explore public policy, and develop the skills necessary to become informed and engaged citizens. Through participation in a realistic mock legislative session, students experience the legislative process firsthand while strengthening critical thinking, public speaking, leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and civic responsibility.

Before attending the session, students research issues affecting Louisiana communities, write proposed legislation, and prepare to present and debate their ideas. During the session, students serve in elected leadership positions, participate in policy committees, engage in legislative debate, and experience how proposed legislation moves through the lawmaking process. Committees address issues including Agriculture, Wildlife & Fisheries; Commerce & Technology; Education; Health & Welfare; Judiciary & Prison Affairs; and Transportation & Development. Students learn to evaluate information, consider diverse perspectives, advocate for their ideas, and understand how citizens can influence public policy.

In 2026, Youth Legislature served 1,836 students from 44 schools across 11 Louisiana parishes, representing public, private, charter, state online, and homeschool communities. The program provides a structured environment where students can discover that their ideas matter, their voices deserve to be heard, and civic engagement begins in middle school.

The proposed project will fund the startup and first-year implementation of Youth Legislature in two additional Louisiana locations. Funding will support the resources necessary to establish and deliver local sessions, including program materials, legislative bill books, student supplies, staffing, school coordination, and session operations. These investments will allow the organization to establish consistent programming, engage local schools and educators, and provide students in new regions with the same quality civic leadership experience offered through the established Baton Rouge program.

This two-location expansion is the next phase of Youth Legislature of Louisiana's broader statewide growth strategy. Following the establishment of these locations, the organization plans to expand into three to four additional regions as funding, community partnerships, and local program leadership are secured. A consistent program model, shared curriculum, training materials, and operational standards will help maintain program quality as the organization grows.

State funding will help remove geographic barriers to participation and extend access to meaningful civic education for more Louisiana middle school students. By investing in young people during a formative stage of their education, Youth Legislature of Louisiana is building a stronger foundation for informed citizenship, responsible leadership, and future community involvement. Our vision is to reach students in every region of Louisiana, ensuring that more young people understand their government, recognize their ability to contribute to their communities, and are prepared to participate in the civic life of our state.

What is the budget relative to the project for which funding is requested?:
          Salaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,000
          Professional Services. . . $2,000
          Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . $3,000
          Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . $2,000
          Major Repairs . . . . . . . $0
          Operating Services. . . . $29,000
          Other Charges. . . . . . . $5,000

Does your organization have any outstanding audit issues or findings?  No

If 'Yes' is your organization working with the appropriate governmental agencies to resolve those issues or findings?
          

What is the entity's public purpose, sought to be achieved through the use of state monies?
          The public purpose of Youth Legislature of Louisiana is to promote civic education, leadership development, and informed citizenship among Louisiana's middle school students in grades 6–8. Founded in 1978, the program brings nearly five decades of experience in preparing young people to understand government, engage in the legislative process, and become informed, responsible citizens. Through an immersive, two-day legislative experience, students gain a practical understanding of state government, public policy, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

State funding will support the startup and first year of implementation at two additional Louisiana locations, expanding access to meaningful civic education for students who may face geographic barriers to participating in the established Baton Rouge program. Students research issues affecting their communities, write proposed legislation, participate in policy committees, debate ideas, and serve in elected leadership positions. These activities develop critical thinking, public speaking, collaboration, problem-solving, research, leadership, and civic responsibility.

In 2026, Youth Legislature of Louisiana served 1,836 students from 44 schools across 11 Louisiana parishes. The proposed expansion builds on this established record and will provide additional schools and communities with access to structured, experiential learning about state government and public policy.

State funding will help cover staffing, training, legislative bill books, student t-shirts, awards and recognition supplies, name tags, educational materials, and session operating expenses necessary to deliver the program at the two new locations. These resources will support consistent program quality while allowing more students to participate in the same civic leadership experience offered through the established Baton Rouge program.

By investing in civic education during middle school, Louisiana can help prepare a future generation of informed voters who understand how government works, recognize the importance of voting, and appreciate their role in shaping their communities and state. Students also develop transferable communication, collaboration, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills that contribute to workforce readiness and future success.

This investment builds on a longstanding Louisiana program while advancing its long-term vision of reaching more students throughout the state. Through continued growth supported by state investment, community partnerships, and other funding sources, Youth Legislature of Louisiana seeks to ensure that more young people understand their government, recognize that their ideas and voices matter, and are prepared to contribute to Louisiana's civic and economic future.

What are the goals and objectives for achieving such purpose?
          Goal 1: Expand Access to Civic Education Across Louisiana.

Establish and launch Youth Legislature of Louisiana programming at two additional locations.

Recruit and engage middle schools in the new regions, building partnerships with educators and school leaders.

Develop a sustainable expansion model that supports future growth into additional regions of Louisiana.

Goal 2: Increase Students’ Understanding of Government and Civic Responsibility.

Provide middle school students in grades 6–8 with a hands-on, two-day legislative experience.

Engage students in researching community issues, writing proposed legislation, participating in committees and legislative debate, and serving in elected leadership positions.

Strengthen students’ understanding of state government, the legislative process, voting, and the role citizens play in public policy.

Goal 3: Develop Leadership and Workforce-Readiness Skills.

Provide opportunities for students to practice public speaking, critical thinking, collaboration, research, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Encourage students to express their ideas, consider differing perspectives, and work collaboratively toward solutions.

Help students build confidence in their ability to lead, communicate effectively, and contribute to their communities.

Goal 4: Measure Program Effectiveness and Support Long-Term Sustainability.

Use student pre- and post-program assessments to evaluate changes in civic knowledge, understanding of voting, and confidence in participating in civic life.

Track participation by students, schools, and geographic regions to measure program reach and expansion.

Build partnerships with schools, community organizations, and business and civic leaders to support program delivery and future statewide growth.

What is the proposed length of time estimated by the entity to accomplish the purpose?
           One year for the proposed expansion project, with plans for continued statewide growth in subsequent years.

If any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official is an officer, director, trustee, or employee of the recipient entity who receives compensation or holds any ownership interest therein:
     (a) If an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of the official and the office held by such person:
                
    
     (b) If an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official, the name and address of such person; the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related; and the nature of the relationship:
                

     (c) The percentage of the official's or immediate family member's ownership interest in the recipient entity, if any:
                

     (d) The position, if any, held by the official or immediate family member in the recipient entity:
                 

If the recipient entity has a contract with any elected or appointed state official or an immediate family member of such an official or with the state or any political subdivision of the state:
(a) If the contract is with an elected or appointed state official, provide the name and address of the official and the office held by such person: 
               

(b) If the contract is with an immediate family member of an elected or appointed state official:
          Provide the name and address of such person:
              

          Provide the name, address, and office of the official to whom the person is related:
               

          What is the nature of the relationship? 

(c) If the contract is with the state or a political subdivision of the state, provide the name and address of the state entity or political subdivision of the state:
                

(d) The nature of the contract, including a description of the goods or services provided or to be provided pursuant to the contract:
               


Contact Information
name:  Cheryle Totten 
                                       address:  40446 Old Hickory Ave
Gonzales, LA 70737
                                       phone:  225-205-9137
                                       fax:  2256221357
                                       e-mail:  ctotten@ylofla.org
                                       relationship to entity:  Executive Director