About Youth Leadership Fort Wayne (YLFW)
Welcome to Youth Leadership Fort Wayne. Our mission is to provide for
an effective community, by offering to a diverse group of young people,
the opportunity for leadership development and responsible volunteer
involvement, and by focusing community awareness on
youth as a rich resource of leadership and service.
Outcome Goals
- To discover our leadership skills.
- To work together as a team.
- To increase our knowledge of our community and its needs.
- To instill in us a life-long commitment to community service.
- To provide opportunities to practice what we have learned.
Program Description
Youth Leadership Fort Wayne consists of an orientation, five full program
sessions for which students are excused from school, and two retreats.
Participants have the opportunity to meet and learn from leaders and
experts in the community, discuss issues, explore community resources,
visit a variety of sites, and be involved in hands-on activities. Students
participate in workshops and retreats that help them identify their personal
strengths and develop leadership skills. Social and community awareness,
leadership skills, and team relationships obtained through the program
assist participants in achieving personal goals, increasing their self-esteem
and self-confidence, and fostering a life-long commitment to community
service. Program sessions are evaluated by student participants and the
program director according to established outcome goals. An overall year-end
evaluation report is used in subsequent planning.
Selection
Youth Leadership Fort Wayne is open to high school students from all
Allen County public, private, and parochial high schools. Students are
nominated by their schools and youth-serving organizations according
to the established criteria.YLFW is designed
specifically for the student who has demonstrated leadership ability
and potential in his/her school or community activities but has not yet
had the opportunity, or self-confidence, to utilize it. Students must
be academically sound, have an interest in participating in the program,
and are willing to make the necessary time commitment.
Curriculum
The program's curriculum is adapted for each group of participants and
includes:
- Trusteeship
- Communication
- Community Education
- Team Building
- Inclusion
- Organizational Skills
- Time Management
- Group Dynamics
- Community Service
- Problem Solving
- Visioning
- Decision Making
- Philanthropy
