Young people who have demonstrated a commitment to the program and their community, and who have demonstrated a growth in their leadership have the opportunity to become Peer Leaders.  Through the Peer Leader project, PNM aims to not only train young people on issues that affect their community, but also demonstrate that Latino youth can be leaders and agents of change in Somerville.  Small stipends are also provided each month for the Peer Leaders to recognize their efforts and time.  Peer Leaders receive trainings and engage in discussions on various issues including globalization, the "isms," oppression, and many more.  Once knowledgeable on such issues, they learn facilitation and public speaking skills to prepare them for educating other young in the program and in Somerville. 

In addition, through the program’s Peer Leader component, 6 young people received trainings on issues affecting immigrant communities in the United States, and actively collaborated with other young people in the Boston area to push for the In-State Tuition Bill in Massachusetts.  The Peer Leaders not only took leadership in their community, but also made history within Centro Presente as they became the first group of young people to participate in the organization’s strategic planning retreat in May of 2005, and the first group of young people to swear in the organization’s new Board of Directors during our annual community celebration in December.  By participating in the strategic planning process and in the swearing in of the new Board of Directors, they played an integral role in planning the direction of the organization and its youth program, and in determining the new leadership that will guide the organization for the next few years.  

Our Peer Leaders are currently involved in organizing and facilitating various components within our program.