Mission

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) will introduce, develop and nurture leadership skills among youth in Greater Des Moines by providing experiential mentoring and leadership experiences that enhance self-esteem and encourage involvement in all levels of community life.

Focus

YLI’s focus is on untapped potential. YLI seeks students who have not had the opportunity to demonstrate their full leadership potential. Candidates for the program should:

1. Be entering their sophomore or junior years of high school.
2. Have an interest in developing their leadership skills.
3. Desire to learn more about the Greater Des Moines community.

Vision

YLI believes local youth must see a community that is welcoming, nurturing, and vital and that provides ample opportunity for youth to participate in meaningful community change, to network, and to grow as individuals. The YLI leadership development program is aimed at:

1. Helping youth learn the skills necessary to help create a Greater Des Moines community where they want to invest their futures.
2. Developing committed leaders by encouraging active community participation.

Goals

The goals of the YLI Program are:

• EMPOWERING youth to connect, participate in change, and create their ideal community
• ENCOURAGING youth to become active participants in their community
• ENGAGING youth in opportunities to invest their futures in the Greater Des Moines area

 

YLI was created as a Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute (GDMLI) Class Project in 2001.  Beginning on the fall of 2011 YLI became a program of the Greater Des Moines Partnership under its Regional Workforce and Education pillar of work.YLI is a program of the Greater Des Moines Partnership in collaboration with the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute and with the support from United Way of Central Iowa.

For questions contact Alba Perez at (515) 286-4937 or email aperez@desmoinesmetro.com.

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