Local Youth Leaders Tackle Community Needs across the Blackstone Valley

It is that time of year again where students from all across the Blackstone Valley begin to move outside of their comfort zones and tackle a community needs project. As part of their graduation requirement, the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy (BVYLA) students are asked back in the Fall to identify leaders in their community with whom they could interview and ask questions so they could begin to identify their own local community needs and to further develop those needs into a community service project that is to be implemented mid March through early May. Through this process students learn communication and interviewing skills as well as leadership and stewardship abilities. This process encourages students to manage their own projects including recruiting volunteers and raising donations. They have an opportunity for review and consultation from experienced community volunteers who meet with each one of them and are always available to assist along the way. They learn how to write a press release and use other means of marketing and are also taught how to participate in a town meeting. This year marks our 8th BVYLA class, which will now boasts 165 alumnae so watch for BVYLA projects in your town!

BVYLA is a unique leadership program of the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation which targets 9th and 10th grade 'emerging leaders' in high schools across the Blackstone Valley and runs afterschool from early November through the end of May. The program seeks to enhance leadership skills of young people and strengthen their connection to the Blackstone Valley and is supported by private and corporate donors and through local school districts.

For more information, please contact Julie Salmon at jsalmon@blackstonevalley.org or by calling 508-234-9090 x101.