Southwest Montana Youth Partners, with financial support from a new grant, is preparing to launch a program that aims to build leadership skills of younger teenagers in the Boulder area.
The $10,000 grant, provided by the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, will seed Boulder’s Youth Leadership Program, affording an opportunity for 7th, 8th and 9th graders to build a culture of leadership through community engagement and hands-on education.
“Most of the leadership groups that these kids see are geared toward the upper grade levels,” said SMYP board secretary Rochelle Hesford, who secured the grant and is developing the new program.
Hesford believes that the years before 10th grade may be the best time for students to begin cultivating a sense of personal achievement and altruism.
“This is the age when we see the most disengagement from kids,” said Hesford. “Many can’t see the advantages of giving back.”
Hesford emphasized benefits that participants’ charity and outreach can have for the community, but she also acknowledged the practical upside of such programs for the students themselves.
“It’s a resume builder,” she said. “Skills, experience and service hours can really help students in the future. A recent survey conducted by the Interactive Educational Systems Design found that over 50% of universities and colleges list community service as a deciding factor in admissions.
The proposed program goes beyond good works, striving to provide an encompassing experience that will offer a variety of opportunities to develop students’ career readiness, global citizenship and 21st-century skills.
Hesford hopes to incorporate a mentorship between students and adult members of the community to foster a sense of support and guidance through positive relationship building.
SMYP plans to introduce the leadership program in January. Hesford says that there is still work to be done to flesh out all of the logistics, but she believes the rewards will be well worth the effort.
“Providing a safe place for kids to develop and strengthen lifelong skills is the ultimate goal.” Hesford said.
For more information contact Hesford at (406) 225-3164 or rochelle.hesford@swmtyp.org.
