What is the Youth Leadership Initiative?
We are an afterschool leadership program for high school students from across the Twin Cities. As part of our mission to building a more inclusive and just community, we intentionally invest in the leadership and interpersonal development of young people. We believe that young people have the power and talents to contribute to creating a multicutural and equitable world.
Our program runs from October 2024 to May 2025. In this program, you will:
- attend Action Team sessions every other Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:30 PM focused on identifying, researching, and developing a community action project with a team;
- attend Cultural sessions every other Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:30 PM to explore and share about your cultural identities;
- attend once a month field trips across the Twin Cities focused on cultural heritage, community leadership, and social justice.
- attend three overnight retreats centered around topics like leadershp, community, and legacy.
We meet at Frogtown Community Center for regular programming and stay in cabins located outside the Twin Cities for overnight retreats.
Our hopes is that by the end of the program, you will:
- Develop your leadership skills, such as, cross-cultural awareness, leadership styles, intercultural conflict styles, teamwork, communication, and so much more;
- Gain volunteer hours towards high school graduation;
- Make new friends from around the Twin Cities;
- Deepen appreciation of your culture and those of your peers;
- Deepen connection to the community;
- Increase your self-confidence and public-speaking skills;
- Impact your community through an action project.
