Leadership Cohort

Overview

Funded by Sac Youth Works Summer Program, Sac Youth Pop Ups, and CalMHSA, twenty selected youth in the City of Sacramento participated in a 5 weeks paid leadership training program where youth groups work collectively to solve an issue in the community under the guidance of a mentor. To address COVID-19 related problems, the three youth groups utilized the learned leadership strategies to coordinate the events and activities to support the community.

Program Content

Group 1: Giving Leaders

Because COVID-19 had such an impact on students' academic performance and school life, the Giving Leaders organized a school supplies giveaway to motivate students. With a limited budget, the youth team was able to provide 100 school supplies bundles to 100 students.

Group 2: Influencers

The youth leaders had identified a need for food and essential materials through their own personal experiences with friends and families during COVID-19. The G. Influencers worked to coordinate a Food and Essential Items Giveaway to 50 families.

Group 3: Collectors

Learning different ways to take care of each other's mental health and well-being, the Collectors decided to partner with HYPU's Senior Day Program to provide a connection of communication and understanding with the Hmong seniors. The Collectors were able to practice their Hmong language to interview some Hmong seniors and write their stories. This helps the seniors engage with others during COVID-19 and helps the youth leaders to gain a better insight to the life experiences of the seniors. The published collection of short stories is called "Project Remembrance".