Leadership Lincoln offers a variety of extracurricular programs to instill our community's youth with the value of strong leadership and to demonstrate the various roles they can play in making a difference.

- Youth Leadership Lincoln
- Youth Leadership Academy
- Youth In Action Center
- YouthInspire Foundation
- Photo Gallery
- Youth Applications

Youth Leadership Lincoln

Strong youth leadership is a sound investment in the future of Lincoln and Lancaster County. The Youth Leadership Lincoln Program works to enhance the knowledge and leadership skills of area high school students by motivating and empowering them to be committed to their community.

Funded through the Lincoln corporate community, the program provides an interactive, hands-on experience in which students focus on developing leadership skills and a life-long commitment to community service. Participants have the opportunity to meet with community leaders from all areas of society and learn firsthand how youth leadership can make a difference.

Targeting ninth graders in local public and private high schools, the program runs from September through May of the students' freshman year. The class meets once a month during the school day, plus one evening per month.

Throughout the year, numerous educational opportunities are made available to the youth, such as networking, conferences, social outings, and service learning projects. These additional opportunities are not required, but are encouraged as they enhance the overall program experience.

All of Lincoln's public high schools as well as Lincoln Pius X consider the program days to be sanctioned school activity days; therefore, participants are not counted absent on those days. Students at Lincoln Christian, Lincoln Lutheran, Malcolm, Norris, Raymond Central, and Waverly High Schools should consult their principal about the attendance policy in their schools.

What Makes a Qualified Candidate?

To qualify for the Youth Leadership Program, a student must:
- Be entering his or her freshman year of high school in one of Lincoln/Lancaster County's public or private schools.
- Demonstrate an interest in and a potential for leadership.
- Show self-motivation with a broad range of interests and a willingness to contribute to the group process.
- Commit the time and energy required to participate in the program.

Youth Leadership Program Participation Requirements

All student applicants should consider the following:
- There is no fee for participation; however, all students are expected to be actively involved in a group community service project.
- To complete the program, participants must attend the opening retreat in September. Attendance is required for the entire retreat—no exceptions.
- Members of the class will be expected to commit to one full-day and one evening session a month. Attendance is required for 80 percent of the programming time.
- Participants are responsible for all mailings and assignments from Youth Leadership Lincoln staff.

The Youth Leadership Program Selection Process

1. Application. Any interested eighth grader may apply. Applications are istributed annually in the schools, in places of worship, through the Leadership Lincoln office, and through this Web site. The application includes a Parent Permission Form, two Reference Forms (one to be obtained from school personnel and one from a friend, neighbor, or other community member), and a School Release Form to be signed by the participant's school principal. Application forms must be received by the deadline. Late or incomplete forms will not be considered.

2. Class Selection. A review team is comprised of volunteers, members of Youth Leadership Lincoln who are now attending college, and representatives from other youth services agencies. This is a highly competitive process, with generally a 1:8 ratio of acceptance. Approximately 100 youth will be selected to participate in a one-on-one interview conducted by the Nebraska Human Resources Institute. Interviews are taped and ranked according to several themes including the student's level of empathy, work ethic, sense of mission, peer relationships, and ability to take a position on issues. In addition, small group interviews consisting of approximately eight youth per session will be conducted in the Leadership Lincoln office. The purpose of these small group interviews is to observe the dynamics of the youth interacting together and participating in a guided discussion. The Selection Committee then reviews applications and interview scores to select a class of about 40 students representing diversity in gender, culture, ethnicity, school, experience, local geographic location, and interests.

3. Notification. All applicants will be notified by mail whether they have been selected to participate.

Youth in Action Center

Leadership Lincoln's Youth In Action Center gives students who have graduated from the Youth Leadership Lincoln Program or the Youth Leadership Academy Program a variety of opportunities for continued learning and community service. Eligible students are invited to work on as many projects or committees as they would like.

Some Youth In Action Center projects include:

1. Youth Advisory Committees. The Advisory Committees serve not only as a visible advocate but as a liaison for their peers. These committees include the Lincoln Public Schools Youth School Board, the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee, the Lincoln Police Department Youth Advisory Board, and the City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

2. Youth Clearinghouse. Youth convene to serve as resources to numerous groups and organizations seeking youth opinion and direction. Previous collaborations have included counsel to the City Council, the Red Cross, the Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs, the Lincoln Arts Council Board, Volunteer Partners, and the Lincoln Journal Star Diversity Committee.

3. Community Service Team. This group assists other agencies and groups who are requesting volunteers. Past and present involvements include Family Service, Lincoln Children's Museum, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Lincoln Arts Council: Tour de Lincoln, mentoring at Lincoln Elliott Elementary School, and Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters.

4. Community Service Learning Projects. Leadership Lincoln provides youth with various opportunities to participate in long-term community service projects. Some of these opportunities have included coordinating monthly birthday parties at the People's City Mission, waiting list activities for Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Day at West Lincoln Elementary, and the Annual Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Rally and March.

To become a participant, students must first complete the Youth Leadership Lincoln Program or the Youth Leadership Academy Program. For more information, call 402-441-4661.

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YouthInspire Foundation

Established in 2000 under the direction of 44 teens, YouthInspire is a youth-initiated, youth-run foundation made possible by a Philanthropy Initiative from the Lincoln Community Foundation.

YouthInspire's mission: We are dedicated to bettering our community through youth serving youth with Time, Talents, and Treasures.

YouthInspire has expanded its mission with the help of a grant from the Kellogg Foundation to include improving the way youth and adults work together in decision-making roles.

These young leaders are responsible for helping to create a community where youth are valued and feel a vital part of the community.

YouthInspire members, who are all alumni of Youth Leadership Lincoln or Youth Leadership Academy, review grant applications, make site visits, distribute funds, assist with projects, and evaluate projects that have received support from the foundation.

If you or your organization has a project that fits with the YouthInspire mission and goals and that allows youth to have a voice in their community, please consider applying for a grant from YouthInspire.

YouthInspire has two cycles for its grant applications. The deadlines for applying are the second Thursday in November and the second Thursday in February.

YouthInspire Grant Application

Please call for applications and deadlines.

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Photo Gallery

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Youth Applications

Click here to download the Youth Leadership Lincoln Application - PDF

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