Introducing L.E.A.D
It’s time for the L.E.A.D (Leadership Exploration and Development) program’s 2020 session! Last year’s initiative was an unforgettably fun and enriching experience for everyone involved, and applications are now being accepted for interested high school students.
The goal of the program is to provide high school students of color with the interpersonal, financial, and necessary support for a thorough exploration of local opportunities available to them following graduation. The students participated in several interactive workshops focused on building and improving resumé writing and interview skills, financial literacy, and personality/leadership assessments. Students also gained invaluable leadership experience as Junior Counselors at Camp Hazelwood, COL’s summer day camp for K-8th graders. Other than thoroughly enjoying being the ones in charge (for once), the LEAD participants learned classroom management and mentorship skills, led STEAM and athletic activities daily, and accompanied the kids on weekly field trips around Pittsburgh. By the end of camp, the students had worked 25 hours each week and had completed at least five of the six workshops.
The icing on the cake was that five high schoolers were rewarded with a weekend trip to Washington, D.C.! The students, accompanied by the Fusion/Crossover/Family Engagement Program Coordinators, took the road trip to D.C. together the morning after Camp Hazelwood ended. The long drive was a welcome opportunity to rest after the five extensive weeks of camp and get ready for the first planned excursion in downtown D.C. — the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The students also visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of American History, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. They even took a few hours off at a city swimming pool for some much-needed R&R. The students had a wonderful time staying in a rented Airbnb townhouse for the weekend and appreciating the varied local restaurants D.C. has to offer. They also enjoyed the family-style dinner of pasta and salad prepared by the staff.
Late one night, the group ventured out to an ice cream shop within walking distance – the much talked about “Milk Bar,” which was decidedly NOT a hit with students. The walk to and from the shop, however, remains one of the most significant portions of the trip, as the D.C. Convention Center was hosting a Comic-Con, and there were many interesting costumes on display downtown that night. Experiencing the rich culture of a city like Washington, D.C. was just as educational as visiting the museums proved to be.
Reflecting on the success of last year’s program, Center of Life excitedly anticipates the kick-off of the Spring 2020 session. A parent/student information session will be held at COL on 2.29.2020 at noon. COL looks forward to working with a group of students—both new and returning—to continue supporting them in their personal and professional development.
-Center of Life