Community
Service Learning and Leadership Development: Leadership
development is a critical integrated component of the program. The MAYP
will provide leadership and character development through five solid mechanisms:
• Weekly leadership seminars or group topic discussions chosen by
the youth;
• The learning and use of “facilitative leadership”
skills by the trainees;
• Election of a Youth Policy Council to assist in administering
program governance;
• Community Leadership projects undertaken and completed by the
youth in our targeted neighborhoods; and
• On-going leadership opportunities. All staff is trained to design
“leadership moments” throughout their teaching.
The staff will provide regular leadership skills building through two curriculums: Survival Skills for Youth and YouthBuild USA Leadership Competencies. Survival Skills for youth is a copyrighted program comprised of 10 three-hour workshops designed to train youth to get along with others; deal with authority figures; manage anger; learn new study skills; become problem solvers; and respect for others and themselves. Workshop titles include Goals, Communicating, Advancing Work and School, Legal Issues, Getting Ready for Employment, Keeping a Job, Managing your Money and Celebrating Success. Each workshop measures the competencies in four areas: self, family, program, and community. Fifteen competencies are taught including development and use of a schedule, achievement of personal goals, anger management, financial management, sexual reproduction, job readiness, the basics of citizenship, and conflict resolution.
Furthermore, a policy committee comprised of the YouthBuild program staff,
YouthBuild Training Coordinator and seven participants elected by their
peers are established for each site. The committee provides input in developing
program policy, recommending improvements in program design, management,
program discipline, planning, and implementing program events and helping
to ensure that program results are achieved through an evaluation process.
