American Latvian Youth Association

The American Latvian Youth Association (ALYA) is the central organization that represents American Latvians from the ages of 16 to 35 in the US. Our mission is to uphold Latvian culture, language, and identity through a variety of events, scholarships, and publications. ALYA was founded in 1952 in New York. Our activity includes, but is not limited to, granting thousands of dollars in scholarships every year to support our members’ interests in taking language courses, attending international cultural events, and participating in Latvian camps across the US; hosting events such as concerts, an annual Kongress every November, and a wide array of social gatherings; helping young professionals network and connect; and keeping members informed of political, social, and cultural updates by means of our blog (aljazinas.org) and bi-annual arts magazine. We also have an active political branch that seeks to educate members about the political climate in Latvia and works together with American politicians to make sure the voice and needs of the Baltic states are heard.