Crime, drugs, a poor educational system and the breakdown of the family are destroying our neighborhood, city and state. We know that without transformational leadership development these problems will continue to plague us and haunt our future. Leadership from outside of the community provides passion and principles but leadership from inside the community brings hope and dedication. That is why we have dedicated our work to creating indigenous leadership from youth in the West Jackson community.
At the end of the school year we accept applications for our Junior Internship Program. Many youth who have spent time in the Summer Arts Camp or After-School Program apply but any student who has completed 7-12 grade is encouraged to submit an application. Through the application and interview process we identify 10 Junior Interns to help lead our Summer Arts Camp in June and July. Under the leadership of the Foundation staff they tutor, teach and mentor 40 kindergarten to sixth grade students.
These young people grew up right here in our community and through this program are making steps toward a productive lives—a testament to the success of our program. We are developing a group of young leaders that, without consistent support in their lives, may have slipped through the cracks. We understand how formative the high school years are for our youth. Having the Junior Interns involved in our program ensures they are developing skills, habits and minds that will lead to successful futures.
