The Blackstone Valley

Annual Leadership Academy to Begin for High School Youth

The Blackstone Valley Education Foundation announces that recruitment for the 2011-2012 class of the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy is now underway as we seek to enhance the leadership skills of young people and strengthen their connection to the Blackstone Valley.

We look to fill a class of approximately 25 9th & 10th grade students from across the valley. Participants will complete nearly 35 hours of direct contact and many more hours of their own practicing leadership skills and qualities while they create, manage and implement a community service project come May. Every session, which runs from 3 to 5:30pm twice a month on Tuesdays starting in early November is held at a different community location throughout the valley so students are exposed and learn the heritage of their neighboring towns. During this journey, students will meet and be mentored by community leaders, learn critical project management and presentation skills, decision making, problem solving as well as critical thinking skills. A May graduation and presentation of individual projects wraps up the year as we celebrate and recognize our new community leaders.

The BVYLA program is an opportunity to forge new relationships and to experience accountability outside of the classroom, which can build self-esteem, self-awareness, and self-confidence amount those who have not yet experienced those milestones. If you are interested in participating in this unique experience, please contact Susan Gately at sgately@blackstonevalley.org or by calling 508-234-9090 x104 or visiting www.Blackstonevalley.org/education.

The Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy is a program of the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation and is supported in part by private and corporate donors and local school districts.

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About the Education Foundation

The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, Inc. is the not-for-profit umbrella organization for all Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce school-business related activities and cultural programs. Our Mission: To lead and support education that promotes workforce development and enhances the quality of life in the Blackstone Valley.

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About the Chamber

The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley and meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce serves the eleven towns in the Massachusetts BV Region: Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. For more information on the Chamber please contact administrator@blackstonevalley.org or call 508 234 9090 X101.