SUMMER 2009
KIDS PLUS Youth Leadership Academy Unveils New Twin Ports Program
Since 1998, nearly 900 young people from around the region have participated in the KIDS PLUS Youth Leadership Academy and discovered they can make a difference in their communities. This year, the Northland Foundation is revitalizing this successful program by bringing together Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin youth and mentors for a joint 9-month learning experience.
Volunteer adult mentors are an important
program component. Here, a mentor looks
on as students prepare a presentation.
The Twin Ports Youth Leadership Academy will introduce new program elements designed to not only develop the 9th graders’ leadership, communication, and teamwork skills but also to break down barriers and strengthen the relationships between these two neighboring, closely interconnected cities.
“Young people often have the impression that people from other communities are different than they are,” said Lynn Haglin, Northland Foundation’s Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director. “But, given a chance to know one another, they discover something valuable: we are more alike than not.”
As part of the Northland Foundation’s KIDS PLUS family of programs, the Youth Leadership Academy’s goal has been, since its inception, to help develop young leaders who will serve their communities now and in the future. The program features several unique aspects, including the fact that the young people selected to participate often have not experienced many other opportunities to develop their leadership potential.
The 2009-2010 Twin Ports Youth Leadership program will kick off in September with a leadership retreat followed by community exploration and leadership development sessions. Northland Foundation program staff as well as guest speakers such as nationally known expert Craig Hillier lead monthly trainings that incorporate skill-building on the individual, group, and community levels.
Youth Leadership Academy members work
with the Lake Superior Zoo’s Sam Maida to
improve a hiking trail on zoo property.
The Academy wraps up in May with a community service project that is conceived and carried out by the young people themselves, with guidance from their adult mentors. Past service projects have included constructing a trail at the Lake Superior Zoo, painting and cleaning at an animal shelter, and a day of special activities with area nursing home residents.
The program is supported by the Northland Foundation with additional sponsorships from area businesses, individuals, and service organizations, and is offered at no charge to students.
“We’re excited about creating a single Twin Ports group. The two cities are so closely linked yet can seem worlds apart to young people who don't have relationships ‘across the bridge’. Our goal is to build a figurative bridge between Duluth and Superior that will benefit both communities for years to come,” said Haglin.