YouthLEAD
(Youth Leadership, Education & Diversity) is a year round program
focused on developing youth leaders and building multicultural friendships
among youth, 13-18 years old, through positive after school and
weekend activities. Annually, 175-200 youth participate in YouthLEAD
programs and activities.
YouthLEAD has a strong emphasis on bringing together youth from
diverse backgrounds to learn about others, better understand and
appreciate cultural differences and build multicultural friendships.
A primary focus of the program is to provide a link between the
community built at Camp Sunrise and the participant's home communities
in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Program services include youth leadership development, employment
skills and training, outreach activities, and positive social, recreational
and educational activities. Regular activities include the Youth
Advisory Council, Community Service Stars Summer Employment Program,
Youth Speak Outs, and Monthly Social and Recreational Activities
such as gym nights, dances, roller skating and bowling. In addition,
the program provides opportunities for youth to develop consistent
and long-term relationships with caring adults
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Youth Involved:
YouthLEAD serves youth, 13-18 years old, from diverse ethnic and
cultural backgrounds, who face social or economic barriers. During
the 2007-08 program year, YouthLEAD served 186 youth from Minneapolis
and St Paul. A key focus of the YouthLEAD program is to provide
follow up services for youth who have attended Camp Sunrise.
Geographic Area Served:
YouthLEAD serves youth, 13-18 years old, who live in Minneapolis
or St. Paul
Ethnic & Cultural Diversity:
During the 2007-08 program year 186 youth participated in YouthLEAD
activities.
African American 39%
Asian American 36%
European American 8%
Latino 6%
African Immigrant 5%
Native American 4%
Other 2%
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Specific Activities
Youth Advisory Council: The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) involves
25-30 youth in the YouthCARE decision making process. Program components
include YAC Retreats in the fall and spring, monthly YAC meetings,
two committee meetings a month, and representing youth at board
of director's meetings. Each YAC member is on one committee during
the year including; civic engagement, fundraising, monthly events,
weekend trip leaders, and youth speak outs. Committees meet twice
a month to plan activities for other youth to participate in.
Community Service Stars Summer Employment
Program: CS Stars is a summer employment program for youth who live
in Minneapolis. In a partnership with Minneapolis Employment and
Training Program, YouthCARE will hire 10-12 youth to work on a Community
Service Crew during the summer months. The crew will move around
the city, with the help of young adult staff, doing community service
projects for communities and non - profits in need of help, they
will also learn about having and keeping a job, and do college and
career exploration.
Youth Speak Outs: Youth Speak Outs
are conducted five times during the year between the months of November-April,
to bring together youth from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to
discuss topics selected by the youth. Youth Speak Outs have been
conducted on topics such as dating, racism, violence, gangs and
diversity. YAC members volunteer to work with program staff to plan
and lead Youth Speak Outs. During the planning sessions youth leaders
gain skills in research, public speaking, event planning, and much
more. During the Speak Out all the youth involved learn about the
topic as well as communication skills and styles.
Self Sufficiency Workshops: Self
Sufficiency Workshops are held once a month from November-April
and focus on helping youth prepare for the transition into adulthood.
Workshops are generally led by YouthCARE staff, volunteers, or community
members. Workshops in the past have included, financial aid and
scholarship information, career possibilities, how to get a job,
resume building, interview skills and many more.
Monthly Social & Recreational
Activities: YouthCARE conducts social and recreational activities
once a month from October-May, to bring together 60-125 youth from
diverse backgrounds and cultures. Activities include roller skating,
gym & swim nights, dances, snow tubing, bowling and an Annual
Lock-In Event. Adult program staff and volunteers supervise activities
and provide youth with transportation to and from activities.
Small Group Social Outings: In addition
to the leadership and recreational activities YouthLEAD provides
small group social outings each month. Youth who are not as involved
with our leadership programs will be targeted for these activities.
These activities may include trips to cultural events, museums,
and other social activities.
Outreach Activities: Outreach activities
are smaller group activities aimed at keeping youth involved in
positive activities. Activities could include going to watch a youth
in their sporting or extra curricular events, helping them with
homework, or helping them find resources in a time of need. YouthCARE
staff will do our best to be available to youth in their times of
need providing support and access to resources when necessary.
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Key program Strategies
Work with the Camp Sunrise team to keep youth involved in year round
positive programming.
Provide opportunities for youth to develop their leadership skills
through experiential learning practices (CS Stars & YAC).
Provide employment opportunities and skills through workshops and
on the job training.
Provide opportunities for youth to give back to their communities
through volunteering.
Provide regular, consistent, and fun social, recreational, and educational
activities for youth involved with YouthCARE.
Help youth develop skills to help them after high school, including
college decisions, money management, and other life skills.
Remove the barriers that keep youth from low to moderate incomes
from participating in after school and weekend activities. Provide
most events free of charge and offer rides to youth who need them.
Regularly recruit youth of diverse backgrounds for all activities
to help create positive multicultural setting for youth to learn
and grow in.
Keep youth involved as they transition from youth participant (18
years old) to adult volunteer (19 years old).
Maintain a strong emphasis on involving adult volunteers in monthly
social and recreational events to help facilitate positive relationships
between youth and caring adults, help meet the programs transportation
and staffing needs, and to provide an opportunity for alumni staff
and campers to stay connected with YouthCARE and the youth.
Minnesota Department of Education
Minneapolis Employment & Training Program
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