The International Youth Leadership Foundation Gets Ready for its Summer Programming Initiative

The International Youth Leadership Foundation, a Cleveland-based nonprofit organization is gearing up for its eight-week summer enrichment program, which begins Saturday, June 20th at Merrick House West. Founded in December of 2014 by Cleveland area native Melinda Jackson with the mission of:Posturing high achieving students from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to be thought leaders and innovators in their future careers of choice through domestic and international programs that focus on career oriented academic enrichment, cultural awareness, and globally conscious leadership, the young organization hit the ground running at the start of the year with its career exploration program. For six sessions between January and April, students in the program spent every other Saturday at the Collinwood library learning about careers in STEM, arts and humanities, and business. These lessons were reinforced through guest lectures by industry professionals and field trips to the Great Lakes Science Center, Playhouse Square, and Edwin’s Leadership and Restaurant Institute. A volunteer with the organization noted “Despite the severe weather we experienced this winter almost all of the students showed up every week. They were so incredibly dedicated!”

With the turbulent winter weather in the rearview IYLF is ready to get its next project going- a summer leadership program. The program, which will run from June 20th until August 15th at Merrick House West, will allow students to explore leadership through self-awareness, personal development, and self-expression. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about horticulture, sustainability, and farm-to-table food systems as well as civic engagement through philanthropy. Students will also visit landmark Cleveland institutions and participate in cultural excursions throughout the city.  Of the upcoming summer program, Executive Director Melinda Jackson remarked “We are proud to have created a program where students can really chart their own path to self-discovery. After the success of our first program, we are very excited to build upon what we have already started and give our students even more enriching experiences”.

For more information about the International Youth Leadership Foundation or its programming visit www.IYLFleads.org or email at info@IYLFleads.org