The Young Leaders Access Program is a one-year program that prepares youth, ages 18-26, to become leaders of change in their communities through leadership development, global citizenship, self-awareness and planning. vision. The YLP team, mentors and mentees work together to impact communities through innovative ideas and concrete projects, thus truly achieving the purpose of Local Change Through Global Exchange®.
Given the situation with the global COVID-19 pandemic, the YLP team is implementing the program fully virtually through electronic modules, Zoom discussions, and one-on-one virtual learning between mentors and trainees.
The Young Leaders Access Program 2021 begins with the Community Needs Assessment, a 2-month community in need of a mapping project that prepares young people to better understand their own local community. After the community needs assessment, the young leaders participate in an intensive 3-month virtual program that helps them become leaders of positive change in their communities. After the virtual learning, participants spend 7 months developing their action plans with the support of former student mentors.
Here are more details about Young Leaders Access Program
Community needs assessment
The Young Leaders Access Program begins with an intensive community mapping project and a community needs assessment, where Young Leaders will receive the tools and knowledge to assess their own community.
This phase is implemented before starting the e-learning part, as it will provide young leaders with a better understanding of the needs of their community.
(2 months)
Project development through virtual learning
Participants come to the Young Leaders Access Program with an idea of a community issue they want to address. Vision planning is the process of transforming passion into a concrete, tangible plan for change.
Through online sessions with speakers, discussions, electronic modules, and assignments, participants will be able to put their local issues in a larger global context while understanding why they are uniquely positioned to make a change in their community. Participants will also determine what tools and skills can be applied to a viable plan.
(3 months)
Ongoing mentoring and support for alumni
To further develop and execute their hands-on plans, young leaders are paired with former student mentors, who will guide them through the virtual program toward creating a workable plan. Throughout the year, alumni mentors support participants by facilitating quarterly “meetings” and ongoing remote communication.
Alumni mentors undergo personalized training prior to the start of the program to support team building and cultural competence among the diverse group of young leaders.
(7 months)
