YouthLEADarts: Empowering Young Leaders Through Positive Change.pdf

Vision & Mission:
"LEAD" (Listen, Empathize, Act, Drive) empowers young people aged 6-8th grade to become leaders of positive change through arts-based workshops. Its charity, youthLEADarts, fosters personal growth, sheds labels, and instills hope in underserved communities.

Methodology:
- Uses the LEAD framework to develop leadership skills.
- Engages students in arts workshops (drama, dance, literature, music, visual arts, etc.) led by Indigenous Elders and artists.
- Students create multi-arts productions, explore the LEAD values, and gain confidence, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

Impact:
- Proven to increase school success ("I got hope wakin’ up every day," - Leroy, 16)
- Addresses Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action by promoting Indigenous knowledge and cultural understanding.
- Connects young leaders nationally and internationally online, fostering diversity and inclusion.

Testimonials:
- Elder Amanda White: "youthLEADarts gives Indigenous youth skills that fill the void between old ways and new ways."
- Teacher Justin Borsato: "Youth were motivated to succeed... formed meaningful relationships with each student."
- Youth testimonials: "I was changed by Elder Amanda’s words," "Now I know that good leadership has more than one trait," "I discovered my voice."

Funding & Partnerships:
- Requires $10,000 per school community for program delivery.
- Collaborates with schools and organizations to integrate LEAD into their schedules.
- Has strong roots in underserved communities across Canada and Nova Scotia.