The Youth Leadership Program, organized by Southwest Montana Youth Partners Executive Director Rochelle Hesford for area children grades 7-9, hosted a celebratory dinner May 31, where students presented their completed community projects.
“I found that students were engaged when given the opportunity to create projects they were interested in,” said Hesford while addressing the event. “Through our pilot program, students explored their unique talents and interests, learned solutions based problem solving, planned and carried out service projects, and crafted visions for their future potential.”
Students spent 36 hours over the course of the semester learning about leadership and project development. They also spent 45 hours doing community service and additional learning. Of the 13 students who completed the program, projects included local clean up efforts, organized socializing in elderly care facilities, and issue advocacy campaigns.
