Youth Program

Developing Leaders

The Youth Leadership Initiative is committed to developing change makers in two ways: 

  1. Elevating youth voice and leadership, and 

  2. Building the capacity of individuals and organizations that work with youth.

Elevating Youth Voice and Leadership

YLI operates an 8-month social justice-centered leadership development program that activates the leadership of Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, and other youth to be racial equity leaders and to catalyze change in communities. YLI serves high school youth ages 14-18. Since 2006, YLI has served over 700 youth. 

Key activities and areas of learning include:

  • The Youth Mentor Team consists of returning YLI participants peer-nominated for demonstrated leadership potential and passion for the work. Mentors meet weekly, lead activities, make program decisions, develop curricula and facilitate retreats.

  • Through quarterly immersive retreats, youth explore concepts of leadership, character, community and legacy; deepen their understanding of others and how to work across differences; explore values as well as leadership and communication styles; examine the root causes to inequities; develop personal confidence and teamwork skills towards collective action.

  • Youth meet in self-identified cultural cohorts to explore their culture, ways they can lead within their cultural community, and how culture influences their leadership style. Each cultural group gets a chance to share their culture with the whole group.

  • Youth identify issues they are passionate about and create teams that meet weekly to implement projects that create positive change in their communities. 

YLI is grounded in the belief that young people have tremendous skills, talents, and invaluable perspectives — all of which have the potential to benefit our community on social, economic and political levels. Many participants attribute their growth in leadership development, preparation to lead, and cross-cultural competency to the program.

  • 98% reported learning more about the experiences and backgrounds of people different from themselves

  • 99% said they “feel better prepared to be a leader in a multicultural world.” 

  • 99% believe that they can make a difference in their community.

YLI has received awards for social-emotional learning and servant leadership.