






Our Program
In 2020, we launched a full-year program where we engage 10 Detroit area youths in the sustainable environmental leadership experience.
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They will have the opportunity to learn and apply leadership skills in an environmental and community-based framework. The program intentionally offers training and support to students in discovering their leadership style and how to effectively nurture it while building community-based projects.
Latia
Leonard
313-378-4122









The Structure
This year will be broken down into 450 hours of paid service experience program includes:
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a meaningful service experience at a nonprofit organization in the city of Detroit.
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leadership training and development sessions via Youth Leadership trainers in the Detroit area.
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site visits and field trips to select businesses, academic institutions, and other industrial locations.
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informal social activities during the Sustainable Youth Leadership Institute.
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Place-based environmental educational conversations and projects.
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An all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC Discovery Trip
In the Summer Leadership Institute, we want to model leadership at the highest levels. In order to understand what that truly means, we are proud to introduce our annual Washington, DC Discovery Trip. The SLI will embark on a journey to our nation’s capital to see leadership on the national scale. This experience will be filled with personal growth and professional opportunity for students, who will develop relationships they can leverage for the rest of their lives.
This trip has included experiences such as:
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Visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture
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Seeing the sights of Washington, DC (White House, National Mall, monuments, and more!)
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Meeting with congressional lawmakers, discussing careers within sustainability, networking with justice advocates, and visiting sustainability projects across the city.
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This trip and all experiences come at no-cost to participants.
LEADERSHIP PRATICES
In the Summer Leadership Institute, we want to model leadership at the highest levels. In order to understand what that truly means, we give hands-on leadership experience. Allowing youth to take charge of the program and help guide their peers to a successful project.
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Demonstrate and apply leadership skills both during and after the YES Summer Program
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Facilitate full-student morning meeting sessions and daily debriefs
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Present on the leadership experience to the full group at the end of the program