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| Home > News & Events > LEAD Class Addresses Nonprofit Community Projects Through Leadership Action Teams | |||||||||
News ReleaseLEAD Class Addresses Nonprofit Community Projects Through Leadership Action TeamsNovember 9, 2007 (San Diego) - LEAD San Diego is able to directly affect positive change in the non-profit community through Leadership Action Teams - the Service Learning component of their 9-month flagship Core Curriculum experience. Rather than simply sitting in a class, getting into the community and participating in something first hand can be a powerful learning experience and can have greater and more meaningful impact on all involved. Leadership Action Teams (LAT) are matched with area non-profits that need the kind of help and expertise that these individuals can provide. The partnership between the team and the non-profit is mutually beneficial. Class members get a first-hand glimpse into the world of an underserved and/or under-resourced community while enhancing their leadership, teambuilding, relationship building, and collaborative skills. The organization not only gets a valuable and tangible result, but builds relationships with team members that surpass the goals and life of the project. Former LAT members have become board members, volunteers and supporters of their partner organization. A variety of promising efforts are underway by the Class of 2008 in San Diego County’s traditionally under-resourced communities to improve the lives and life prospects of community residents: A Reason to Survive (ARTS) offers a variety of healing experiences in the visual, performing, and literary arts to children and families facing adversity. Through imaginative expression, ARTS strives to improve the well being and quality of life for these children and families. The LAT will develop a 3-5 year social enterprise business plan for the opening and operation of ARTS new Children’s Gallery, a 625-square-foot space dedicated to exhibiting and selling original artwork and merchandise created by the children. A percentage of the gallery sales will go to the children and a percentage will go to support the ARTS programs. eXcel Youth Zone’s (XYZ) works in Title 1 schools to promote youth as resources and leaders in their communities through positive, meaningful, community service-learning projects which encourages youth to make service a life-long endeavor. The LAT will develop a strategic/business plan to further ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability. Human Development Foundation helps exceptionally intelligent students from low-income families steer clear of the many pitfalls, dangers, and temptations that they may fall victim to in low-income neighborhoods. The OPEN GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program identifies these students, brings them together and provides state-of-the-art, personal training in a stimulating and challenging educational environment. The LAT will develop a social enterprise business model for their OPEN GATE program for replication in other school districts to help generates revenue for its programs. Join Hands-Save a Life provides a safe place where extremely low income, severely at-risk youth of all ages can feel at home and engage in constructive athletic and social after-school activities. The LAT will develop a strategic/business plan to assist with the expansion into of a new, larger facility in Carlsbad, which will greatly increase their capacity to provide alternatives to gangs and crime.Pro Peninsula is dedicated to the long-term conservation of the California-Baja California region. Pro Peninsula’s projects span scientific research, advocacy, outreach and environmental education; focusing on sea turtles, water quality and ecosystem protection. The LAT will develop an outreach and membership plan which will help establish Pro Peninsula as a key player in San Diego’s environmental community. San Diego Futures Foundation’s (SDFF) mission is to make information technology available to the broadest range of San Diego County residents through the delivery of computer hardware, software, communications, training, education, and technical services. The LAT will develop and implement a comprehensive plan to identify strategies and resources to support student participation in its WhizKidz program where young adults from the City Heights community develop marketable technical, entrepreneurial, and business skills. Results of the Leadership Action Team Projects will be presented at a special showcase event on May 22, 2008 and opportunities to further the work and ensure its successful implementation will be explored. If you know of a deserving organization in our region that would benefit from a Leadership Action Team next year, please contact Sherrie-Lyn Thompson, Vice President - Programs at 619.280.5323, smthompson@leadsandiego.com Established in 1981, LEAD San Diego is one of the oldest and most prestigious community leadership organizations in the nation and is highly regarded throughout the greater San Diego region. LEAD San Diego’s influential members represent all sectors of our community and are dedicated to providing leadership that is dynamic, meaningful, and relevant. LEAD San Diego, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.
LEAD San Diego |
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