There are those who follow and those who get out of the way. Then there is Lead, Building with Books' yearlong leadership enrichment program that empowers U.S. high school students to make positive changes in their personal lives while contributing to the betterment of their communities.
About the Lead Enrichment Program
While the focus of Lead is leadership, members participate first and foremost in all three of BwB's core activities: community service, global education and school construction sponsorship. Along with building self-confidence through leadership and service, the Lead enrichment program instills valuable skills in students that can be integrated into their personal lives and future professional lives.
Within Lead, there are abundant opportunities for self-discovery as students explore global issues and learn about teamwork, effective communication, goal setting, planning, job skills, and more. Examples include ongoing community service work, professional development workshops and work internships – all of which are invaluable to preparing students for life in school and beyond.
Lead also connects students with positive peer role models who have chosen to experience themselves and their world positively through the program. Students also work with adult BwB staff mentors who play a significant part in the program’s success.
Additional Details
The Lead enrichment is offered to freshmen, sophomores and juniors at U.S. high schools that currently host BwB after-school programs. Students who sign onto Lead make a yearlong commitment to work one-on-one with an adult staff mentor and peer role models, and attend monthly workshops. Through these engagements, Lead team members develop skills in effective communication, teamwork, leadership, planning, finances, college preparedness, job training, and more.
Lead includes year-round leadership training and projects, highlighted by an intense and focused six-week summer component, including:
- A one-week Service Learning Trip
- A one-week professional development session
- A four-week internship that places students on staff at a local business or non-profit organization.
Throughout the school year, Lead team members also contribute to their school's BwB programs by attending meetings, global education activities, service projects and fundraising endeavors.
All Lead team workshops, trips and activities are funded by BwB through generous donations from our supporters.
Get Involved
Lead applications are available December through January. Please check back then to download an application.
For more information about Lead, please contact Vanessa Liles, Youth Outreach Manager, at vliles@buildingwithbooks.org.
For information on sponsoring a Lead program or activity in your area, click here.