Leadership L.I.V.E for Youth
Pathways has been providing leadership training for children of all abilities since its inception 10 years ago. Melinda Jennis began training 14 students to be mentors in January 2003. The mentor program has evolved over time into a more advanced leadership program that has received wide spread recognition. In Leadership L.I.V.E, the youth learn how to use their own schools and communities as training grounds for building character and leadership on a daily basis. The program recognizes but does not concentrate on bullying, teen suicide, drug abuse or other things that are only symptoms of the greater problems inherent in our youth. Instead, the program teaches children about the power they have within themselves to question, dream, redefine and shape their own vision for themselves and the world around them. It recognizes their personal value, strengths, and capitalizes on what makes them different and unique. Leadership L.I.V.E teaches them to find their purpose, lead themselves, and explore what they love and want to do in life. The program does not seek to dominate or control children or their behavior but to liberate and ignite their visions. The youth leaders learn how to take their ideas and develop step-by-step action plans that successfully drive the changes they envision. The program then teaches them how to use these tools to teach, lead, and empower others. The training we provide helps communities and schools start their own youth leadership programs and involves the children teaching children or peer to peer model that has become the hallmark of everything Pathways does. The Leadership L.I.V.E program focuses on helping youth to make social change they deem as important. It does not have to focus on disability advocacy but must be inclusive of children of all ability levels.
The L.I.V.E stands for the following which are the pillars of success in the program:
1) L- Leadership
2) I - Include
3) V - Value
4) E - Empower
The program is not designed as a one time school assembly or a once a year youth conference. It is a daily process of changing and instilling leadership into youth. The students involved in this program are also from communities outside of Montville Township. For more information or to get involved in this program email the student leaders at leadershiplive@gmail.com. Also join their "Include ME!" facebook and twitter below.
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