HELM is proud to announce that the Youth Leadership Symposium (YLS) is now part of our network of offerings.
Last fall YLS offered a new model of leadership development, and the results were exciting! Registration for the 2024 cohort is now open and every congregation is invited to send one high school-age participant for free.
YLS brings youth from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ together to learn how to lead in a local, congregational context. These are skills that will prove useful far beyond a Church setting as well.
The primary learning experience offered through YLS is a leadership project in which each participant designs and leads a project in their local congregation. This project gives them an opportunity to apply all that they have learned and express their unique gifts and passions. The YLS program includes three Saturday events, reading and research, interviews with Church leaders, and the specifics pertaining to their personal project.
Individuals who complete the YLS program are eligible for leadership scholarships at Church-related Colleges and Universities, just like youth who have served on a Regional or Conference youth leadership team.
The 2023 participants completed some inspiring projects:
- Cleared the overgrown church property using goats in preparation for a Community Garden.
- Transformed the church Fellowship Time through better organization and provision of new, lightweight furniture.
- Led the Children’s Sunday School in fun, age-appropriate lessons on Creation Care.
- Hosted a “Back to School” Carnival with games and donated school supplies.
- Organized a Volleyball Tournament to connect the church and welcome community.
YLS participants can Zoom from home or meet with others near them in an organized “Pod.” If your Region or congregation would like to host a Pod, let us know so we can help with set-up. Last year, Pods were hosted by both Chapman University and Lynchburg University. We expect many more in 2024.
If you have questions or would like to learn more, please visit our website or contact us at: YouthLeadershipSymposium@gmail.com.