Youth Leadership Initiative

Developing a new generation of strong, effective leaders

Wilder's Youth Leadership Initiative is a community leadership program for high school students to strengthen self-awareness, develop cross-cultural leadership skills, and to put skills learned into action in a multicultural and global community.

Wilder has made the incredibly difficult decision to end the Youth Leadership Program. We know the absence of this program will be felt throughout the community. We will make every effort to work with other organizations who may be able to take up these important leadership programs. If you have questions, please contact Lindsay Bacher at lindsay.bacher@wilder.org.

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Program Overview

The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) is a cohort model of learning. Young people apply and are selected to be in a learning cohort that meets consistently over a period of time. In YLI, learning happens through active engagement, listening and doing, reflection, a mixture of small and large group activities, storytelling and peer mentoring. The structure of YLI is youth centered. In addition to youth participants determining the focus of cultural exploration sessions and community issues to be addressed, a team of youth mentors are selected to return and be peer leaders in the program. The roles of adults are to support, encourage, share knowledge and power, and create access and opportunity. Youth and adults work together as colleagues and learn from one another.

Program Length & Format

8 months (November - May)

Youth/Parent Orientation
Weekly After-School Sessions
Weekend Youth Leadership Retreat
Graduation

Program Activities That Help Youth Build Leadership Skills

Leadership Retreats

At three retreats, youth participate in experiential learning activities that help them to understand who they are as individuals and how to work with others.

Youth Action Projects

Youth identify community issues they are passionate about and create service projects that address those issues.

Cultural Exploration Sessions

Youth explore their own culture and how heritage impacts leadership style and personal development. Youth also develop cross-cultural understanding by sharing and learning about other people’s experiences.

Academic and Job-Readiness Support

Youth explore and develop skills that will help them navigate professionalism, college readiness, career and life after high school. YLI also offers academic tutoring.

Participant Requirements

YLI is grounded in the belief that all young people have the potential to benefit our community with their skills, talents and unique perspectives. We do not screen only for those youth who are “in trouble” or those who are “above average.” As a result, we bring together a truly diverse cohort of youth. They are diverse in their interests, ethnic backgrounds, family structures, country of birth, “crowd” at school, grade point average and so much more. These youth spend a year together building solid trusting relationships. For many, it changes their life. Participants must:

Be in grades 9-12
Live in Saint Paul or the East Metro area
Reflect diversity of the community
Commit to attending program sessions for one school year

The Youth Leadership Initiative helps youth discover their leadership abilities.

A group activity with Wilder's Youth Leadership Initiative

High School Students from Saint Paul and East Metro Area in Wilder's Youth Leadership Initiative gather for a retreat at the Wilder Center.

5 Skills Youth Leadership Initiative Alumni Bring Into Work and Life After High School

By guest author and changemaker, Padah Vang, YLI Alumna (2013 – 2015) and Youth Mentor (summer 2018 internship) with Wilder’s Youth Leadership In... Read the article »

Community Leadership Programs, Youth Leadership Initiative, global youth leaders in minnesota, diverse multicultural youth and adults

Why Multiculturalism Matters for Local and Global Youth Leadership

How can multiculturalism empower people of many races, ethnicities and cultures to live and work in harmony not only in the US but also around the world? ... Read the article »

Youth Mentors: A Model of Peer Leadership

Read the report »