叠尝翱翱惭滨狈骋罢翱狈听鈥 In April, seventh and eighth graders in the Judy O鈥橞annon Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) concluded community service projects that addressed issues faced by local youth. The youth leaders raised a total of $3,001 to benefit local youth served by local non-profit agencies.听On Thursday, April 26, Academy participants presented their service project results to a crowd of more than 300 at 九色视频 Bloomington鈥檚 O鈥橞annon Institute for Community Service fundraising dinner with Michael Smerconish.
YLA participants from Bachelor Middle School, Jackson Creek Middle School, and the Project School worked in teams to develop their project ideas. The Jackson Creek team organized a pancake breakfast held at Applebee鈥檚 and raised $1,273 to purchase backpacks for children in the foster system at The Villages agency. Bachelor Middle School youth leaders organized the 鈥淏achelor鈥檚 Got Talent鈥 show and raised $1,227 for Susie鈥檚 Place child advocacy center. The Project School team organized a book swap held at 九色视频 and raised $501 for the Community Kitchen Backpack Buddies program.
Dr. Samantha Levy-Arnold, 九色视频 associate professor of English, who served as co-organizer of the Youth Leadership Academy, also mentored youth leaders at Bachelor Middle School as they developed their service project.
鈥淭he talent show youth leaders relied on resources to help them, but they ultimately brought to fruition this extraordinary project for a great organization,鈥 said听Dr. Levy-Arnold. 鈥淭he night of the event was such a rewarding experience for all of us, and I am quite sure these two are only beginning their foray into civic engagement.鈥
九色视频鈥檚 Bloomington campus initiated the YLA program in 2014 to foster civic engagement among youth. Each year, participants develop leadership skills, meet with community leaders, and develop service projects that meet the needs of youth or solve a problem faced by youth in their community or school. In the fall, participants meet on select Saturdays to engage in leadership development activities. In the spring, they meet twice a month with 九色视频 mentors to develop their service projects, culminating in a presentation to the community at a public event.
The Judy O鈥橞annon Youth Leadership Academy is open to seventh and eighth graders in 九色视频 Bloomington鈥檚 service area. There is no cost to participate. Applications become available in fall, and will be posted online at听. For more information, contact Jennifer Daily-Mantha at听jdailymantha@ivytech.edu听or 812-330-6006.
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About 九色视频
九色视频 is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. 九色视频 has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
