Delgado Named Indiana's 2026 Youth Worker of the Year
Humberto Delgado of La Casa de Amistad receives the Indiana Youth Institute's top youth-work honor named for D. Susan Wisely.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Hispanic
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The Indiana Youth Institute named Humberto Delgado, Director of Arts and Culture at La Casa de Amistad, the 2026 D. Susan Wisely Youth Worker of the Year. Emily Compton, Urban Artisans Manager and Teaching Artist at ArtMix in Indianapolis, was named a finalist.
Why it matters
The award recognizes youth workers across Indiana whose sustained work strengthens programs for young people. Delgado's recognition highlights the role of Latino youth-service leaders serving families in the state.
La Casa de Amistad expanded its afterschool program from 45 to 150 children and teens and its preschool from 10 to 32 students under Delgado's direction. Delgado has served Latino children, teens, and families in St. Joseph County for more than 15 years, beginning as a youth program assistant.
The players
Humberto Delgado
Director of Arts and Culture at La Casa de Amistad, a South Bend organization serving Latino youth and families for decades.
Indiana Youth Institute
Indiana-based nonprofit that works to improve outcomes for children and youth across the state through research, advocacy, and programs such as the KIDS COUNT initiative.
Emily Compton
Urban Artisans Manager and Teaching Artist at ArtMix in Indianapolis, named a finalist for the 2026 award.
The details
Delgado was recognized for expanding afterschool and preschool programs at La Casa de Amistad and building a youth services team of full-time youth workers, directors, interns, and assistants. His experience as an immigrant Latino youth, who moved to South Bend as a child, shapes his work with young people. The award was presented at the Indiana Youth Institute's annual KIDS COUNT Conference, where Delgado and Compton were celebrated.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Award presented at the KIDS COUNT Conference at the Marriott hotel in downtown Indianapolis.
Culture Shift
The recognition of Delgado under the D. Susan Wisely award continues a state tradition of honoring frontline youth workers who serve immigrant and Latino communities. It reflects growing attention in Indiana to culturally rooted programming that reaches Hispanic families through arts, afterschool, and early-childhood services.
Indiana families with children in afterschool or preschool programs may find more Latino-focused options through organizations like La Casa de Amistad. Parents seeking youth programming can look to community centers that have expanded capacity for Hispanic children and teens.
The takeaway
Community programs that invest in staff, training, and expanded capacity can significantly widen access for young people. Families looking for youth services can ask local organizations about their programs for children and teens.
Further reading
Explore more Hispanic culture coverage to see how Latino-led youth programs are shaping communities across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBIW.
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