At YLI, we believe that community engagement is essential for youth to develop a sense of responsibility and ownership toward their community. The program includes participation in volunteer activities, where youth will gain valuable experience, build networks and acquire new skills, along with leadership training, public speaking workshops, and team-building activities that help youth develop the tools necessary to become leaders. YLI aims to offer a space where youth can build themselves a platform to express their views and opinions, while also taking actionable steps towards bettering their community. These youth-led Passion Projects give youth real-life experience in fostering and championing change. Participants will have the opportunity to work on their passion projects and report on their experiences and findings from the program at the next Youth Summit in 2024. Our program also encourages youth to take ownership of their development, guiding them toward leadership roles and responsibilities within their community.
Our educational workshops and site visits offer a hands-on learning experience for youth to explore different areas of community engagement. By providing access to various organizations and experiences, we aim to ignite a desire for change in the youth that YLI helps shape into tangible, real-life results showcased through their Passion Projects. They will learn how to identify the needs of their community, develop and execute their projects, and learn how to work in a team environment.
We encourage youth to step outside of their comfort zones and challenge themselves by exploring different avenues of community engagement. At YLI, we believe in creating an environment that fosters personal and professional growth, allowing youth to develop their full potential as community leaders through hands-on experience.