About Us
County Impact Statements - Lawrence County
Youth Leadership Development Improves Communities
Teaching life skills to youth in Lawrence County prepares them
to be future leaders and give back to their communities.
Nine classes of the Ralph Joseph Youth Leadership Program have
been conducted since May 1996 graduating 156 young men and women. They learned
management, decision making, communication, learning, understanding self,
relationship and working together as a group. Participation created a bond
between the youth, which allowed them to step out of their comfort zones of
home, school and community and express their thoughts and views in an atmosphere
of acceptance and support.
"Leadership is taking the initiative and carrying through with
one’s dream and getting out of your comfort zone and working toward something
you want to do." - Class 1 Graduate
"Helped me learn how to work with people I didn’t exactly agree
with all the time." - Class 2 Graduate
"I learned to be a leader. You also have to know when to follow
and don’t judge people by outward appearances." - Class 7 Graduate
Thanks to the program, communities in the county are seeing
changes, whether it’s fresh paint, a new sign or new leadership books in the
library.
Ralph Joseph Youth Leadership Class 9 |
Impacts
- Drug and alcohol abuse awareness
- Beautification of school and community buildings and parks
- Construction of youth centers
- Safety seminars
- Fund raising for charitable organizations
- Preparing students for employment with job fairs
- 6 new community service projects conducted in 2003
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