Now in its third year, “I AM...Irvington”, a Youth Leadership Program (YLP), funded by the Petrucci Foundation, consists of a cohort of forty or more high school juniors from the Irvington School District, in Irvington, NJ. The “I AM” Youth Leadership Program (YLP) model is a highly energized student leadership and job-readiness builder. The program is filled with rich educational and experiential learning workshops, and a customized curriculum prepared by subject matter experts to meet the “rigor standards” demanded by secondary and post-secondary educators. Sessions include: Steps to Attaining Leadership, Team Building, Ethics, Public Speaking and Effective Communication, Job-readiness, Resume Building, Interviewing Techniques, Career Day with Governmental and Corporate Representatives and STEM Day, a field trip to the corporate headquarters of AT&T followed by an overview of career opportunities and executive dialogue and mentorship.
The focus of the program is to improve a student’s ability to successfully function in the 21st century workforce. Our goals include; improving each student academic awareness and success, job training, and higher learning opportunities. The YLP offers:
Our goal is have YLP emerge as a best-practice example of blended educational and transformational business competencies that will improve the development of youth participants. The model for youth training in workforce education, economic development, and social responsibility has been replicated in schools across the nation. YLP is one example of what happens when you implement a model for success and combine business practices with traditional education. Moreover, students are provided direct access to industry professionals. These professionals can address student questions about future careers and in real time provide feedback on the pros and cons in these industries. This is a tremendous value for our youth as they chart their path as future leaders.
One of the desired outcomes for participants completing the YLP includes learning how to set and implement goals for their personal achievement. We hope participants will also give back to their communities and work to improve their neighborhoods and schools.
The focus of the program is to improve a student’s ability to successfully function in the 21st century workforce. Our goals include; improving each student academic awareness and success, job training, and higher learning opportunities. The YLP offers:
- Leadership and job readiness training
- Life skills training
- Direct interaction with professionals from various industries
- Classroom mentorship, role playing, case studies, and interactive activities
- Career development workshops
- A closing ceremony with individual letters of recommendation and certificates of achievement
Our goal is have YLP emerge as a best-practice example of blended educational and transformational business competencies that will improve the development of youth participants. The model for youth training in workforce education, economic development, and social responsibility has been replicated in schools across the nation. YLP is one example of what happens when you implement a model for success and combine business practices with traditional education. Moreover, students are provided direct access to industry professionals. These professionals can address student questions about future careers and in real time provide feedback on the pros and cons in these industries. This is a tremendous value for our youth as they chart their path as future leaders.
One of the desired outcomes for participants completing the YLP includes learning how to set and implement goals for their personal achievement. We hope participants will also give back to their communities and work to improve their neighborhoods and schools.