Youth Leadership
The Youth Leadership program provides the youth with opportunities to acquire the necessary skills to reach their utmost potential as confident and compassionate leaders of tomorrow. The year-round program provides mentorship, empowerment, a focus on social and emotional well being as well as a fun, trusted, and safe space for the youth to connect. We encourage our youth to make long-lasting connections to the community and make a difference in others' lives through mentorship, leadership and support services. Youth involved in the program also receive community service credit for schools, internships, and college applications.
Contact UsYouth Leadership Delegation
Our youth delegation consists of four different leadership opportunities for varied age groups.
Youth Board (9th-11th graders) Youth Advocacy Year-round (9th-12th graders) Youth Advocacy Project Based (6th-12th graders) Youth Council (8th-11th graders) Youth Outreach (6th-7th graders)Each group helps foster leadership skills and encourages community outreach and service while providing a platform and space for youth to put communication and critical thinking skills in practice. Learn more about each program at the links above.
MEET THE YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND ADVISORSCamp Bharat
For more than 30 years, Camp Bharat has provided a space for children of Indian heritage or those interested in the culture a chance to connect, share experiences, play, develop cultural awareness, and form lifelong friendships. Camp Bharat take place in Port Townsend.
CAMP 2024 DATES: AUGUST 13-17 CAMP 2024 REGISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE IN: May 2024. Registration link and additional information will be provided closer to the date. Subscribe to IACS Newsletter for up to date information on camp via IACSWA.org and at the bottom right enter your email. LEARN MORE ABOUT CAMP BHARAT
Youth Board (YB)
Youth Board is a platform where thirty-two youths from the community (9th-11th graders) collaborate to create a team of leaders who train over the year via various service projects.Registration and Selection
Youth Board is selections based and requires a great amount of time commitment with strict attendance policy. The program offers ongoing leadership opportunities to all its members. YB registration and application process for the 2023-24 Program year will begin on August 20, 2023 at 10:00am and registration will end on September 8th, 11:59pm. Applications including essys will be due by September 12th. Additional information regarding registration and the overall selections process: click here. Questions: ypdirector@iaww.orgMEET THE YOUTH BOARD LEADERS
Youth Advocacy (YA)
Youth Advocacy provides a platform for passionate youth interested in using their voices to address issues that are important and matter to them. YA members have options to apply for a year-round program where they will receive mentoring and participate in leadership opportunities through projects, workshops, presentations, and panels. Requirements for students include attendance to monthly meetings (scheduled on Saturday or Sunday), to organize and attend weekly small group discussion sessions, webinar, workshops as well as community education and information sessions. Over the last 2 years, YAs selected their focus areas to be Racial Equity, Women's Rights, Mental Health, HR Policy, Animal Rights, and Climate Change.Registration and Selection:
The selections for the YA year-round program are limited to high schoolers and take place in September. For the 2023-24 Program Year, Registration for applications will open at 10am on Saturday, September 9th and close on September 23rd at 11:59pm. Essays/Applications will be due by September 24th. Interviews will take place on Oct 14th. Registration information can be found here: click hereYouth Advocacy: Project Based
Members who are unable to commit to the year-round program, may also participate through project-based activities which will be open to all middle and high-schoolers throughout the year. Youth who are interested in participating in the project-based portion of this program can register during the year starting Late November through March: click here Questions: ylpnavigator@iaww.org MEET THE YOUTH ADVOCACY LEADERS
Youth Council (YC)
Youth Council is where a group of 13 to 17-year-olds (8th-11th graders) come together to explore leadership, mentoring and service opportunities. The program offers leadership roles and YCs also have leadership responsibilities at Camp Bharat (run by YB). YC members receive volunteer service credit for school and college applications.Registration and Selection
The Youth Council 2023-24 program registration will take place on Oct 21, 2023 starting at 10:00am and is on first-come-first-served basis due to limited spots. Registration information: click hereQuestions: ylpcoord@iaww.org
Youth Outreach (YO)
YO was formed in the 2019/2020 program year to provide a safe and trusted space for 6th and 7th graders to navigate the middle-school years. YOs have the opportunity to gain volunteer hours through workshops and community service projects. These efforts and projects help to provide overall leadership skills for the youth to carry forward as positive influences within their communities.YOs have Leads and Advisors throughout the year who connect with them and provide mentorship.Registration and Selection
Registration is first-come; first-served due to limited spots and will take place on September 17th, 10am to end of day September 18th. Registration Information: click hereQuestions: ylpcoord@iaww.org
My confidence and leadership skills have increased through the program and being surrounded by so many hard-working individuals inspired my desire for a greater work ethic.
