Youth Leadership
Applications are now CLOSED FOR THE 2024 COHORT
Youth Leadership (YL) is a leadership enrichment program for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors representing schools throughout our community. The curriculum builds a foundation of leadership skills, an awareness of community issues, an appreciation for diversity and a commitment to lifelong community service. Please complete the application online before October 13, 2023.
APPLICATIONS FOR OPEN FOR THE 2025 COHORT WILL OPEN NEXT SPRING.
Questions? Email Charitie
We are thankful for our program sponsor, National Fuel.
2023-2024 Day Session Schedule
- Acceptance/Deferral letters will be sent on a rolling basis Mid-October through November 1.
- Getting to know you and your fellow Youth Leadership class
- What makes a leader and how you can activate your community
- Combining networking and social capitol - connect people, opportunities and ideas
- Give back to your community with the Youth Leadership class
- Healthy relationships, executive function and more
- Discover the arts, culture, tourism and history of Buffalo
- Explore how criminal and social justice work symbiotically
- Education after high-school - trades, military, college and more
- Resumes, interviews and elevator speeches
- Taking what we've learned this year and applying it to solve real world problems
- A time to dress up and celebrate your hard work this year
Exploring What Matters
Students meet once a month to explore Buffalo in an educational way to increase appreciation and awareness of our community.
We focus on topics such as economic development, social justice, arts and cultures, diversity and entrepreneurship.
Developing Leaders
YL targets a diverse group of students who have leadership potential but who may or may not have had experience in positions of leadership within their schools.
Public, private and charter schools are represented by a group of 40 students each year. This program values diversity and aspires to include as many different high schools as possible.
Being a Better Leader
The program environment is a non-traditional form of learning. The city is our "classroom".
Throughout the year, we perform leadership development trainings in various topics including, team building, diversity, business ethics and social etiquette. The year focuses on Servant Leadership traits and relies on experiential learning.
Giving Back
Students are exposed to the multiple service based organizations in our area. Throughout the year, students will learn about ways they can provide assistance in our community, and take action to create a better Buffalo.
Program Information
Opening Retreat
Youth Leadership begins with an Opening Retreat held in November. This retreat will provide the foundation for the year-long Youth Leadership program. The retreat is also designed to create a team atmosphere amongst the participants. The opening retreat is mandatory, transportation is not provided.
Day Sessions
Students will meet monthly, both in-person and virtually. These sessions introduce participants to a variety of community issues and professional development lessons. Each session will include interacting with community leaders pertaining to the day session topic allowing students to have meaningful discussion and provide ideas on how they can address these issues.
Parent and Student Orientation
A program orientation for parents and selected students will be held virtually in early November.
Tuition
The program tuition is $750. Thanks to local funding, we are able to provide a limited number of scholarships. Please complete the scholarship request form in addition to the application for consideration. Scholarship requests are confidential and not considered during the selection process. Please contact Charitie Bruning at 716-849-2626 x12 or charitie@leadershipbuffalo.org for more scholarship information.
