The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley is excited to announce the upcoming YLEAD program, a week-long leadership program catered to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. This program aims to inspire, empower, and cultivate their leadership potential. YLEAD offers a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on essential life skills such as leadership, communication, and service. Through engaging activities and expert-led workshops, participants will gain valuable knowledge and practical experience, equipping them with the tools necessary for effective leadership.
The Youth Empowerment Achievement and Development (YLEAD) program is scheduled to take place over two separate weeks: July 10th to July 14th and July 24th to July 28th. The program will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm each day and will be held at the Banana Factory, located in Southside Bethlehem.
The Volunteer Center’s interns, Cole Stanchina and Latifah Mejia have developed this summer’s program to offer high school students a transformative experience that empowers them to make a positive impact on the lives of not only their fellow program participants but everyone they encounter. “I’m excited to witness the program in action and observe how community service will enable the students to flourish and access opportunities that will greatly contribute to their future endeavors,” said Stanchina. Through a carefully curated lineup of esteemed speakers and thoughtfully selected service projects, YLEAD participants will be provided with a unique platform to actively engage and establish meaningful connections with a diverse range of individuals in their local Lehigh Valley community. This invaluable opportunity offers them a chance to interact with individuals they may not have otherwise crossed paths with, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for the rich tapestry of their community. “It is an incredible honor to play a role in empowering and shaping the future leaders of our community. Through this program, I am eager to inspire and guide young individuals, harnessing their potential and passion to make a positive impact in the world around them. Together, we will cultivate essential leadership skills, foster teamwork, and ignite a sense of social responsibility among the youth. I am truly grateful for this chance to contribute to the growth and development of these young leaders, as they embark on a journey of personal and community transformation.” said Mejia.
This program is supported by Air Products, Crayola Highmark, Just Born Quality Confections and People First. Their support allows our team to provide such important and relevant programming for today’s youth who will become our community leaders.
About Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley — The Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley is dedicated to the facilitation of educational, motivational, and coordinated programs and services that foster volunteer engagement within our community. Our mission is to enhance nonprofit impact by serving as the community connection that promotes volunteerism and prepares tomorrow’s leaders.
We achieve this through the coordination of volunteer efforts, leadership development initiatives, and recognition programs. Annually, we successfully recruit and engage over 25,000 volunteers, who generously contribute their time and skills to benefit more than 400 agencies across the Lehigh Valley region. This collective effort not only enhances our community but also generates substantial cost savings.
Apply online by June 12, 2023. For more information on the Volunteer Center and YLEAD, visit https://www.volunteerlv.org/y-LEAD
