OVERVIEW
The Youth Sustainability Leadership Program (YSLP) is a collaborative effort to engage Cleveland high school students in sustainability and community engagement. YSLP introduces Cleveland youth to the concept of sustainability and helps identify ways for them to get involved with sustainability at home, at school, and in their community.
As part of the YSLP program, youth will be invited to attend the Culminating Sustainable Cleveland Summit on Wednesday, October 16th, 2019. Thanks to generous support from our sponsors,
selected youth leaders will experience the impact of the 10-year initiative and have the opportunity to interact with leaders in the Sustainable Cleveland community. During this process, -students will be guided by members of the City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and a team of community stakeholders to design sustainability projects that will have a positive impact on their school, peers or community.
Youth participating in YSLP will be tasked with:
- Meeting monthly on highlighted topics (sustainability, natural and built environment, art and social justice)
- Developing project ideas or ways to incorporate sustainability into existing school/community projects at the Sustainable Cleveland Summit
- With support from the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, continuing to develop/implement projects throughout the school year
- Sharing projects with peers and community members through activities and presentations at one of the following events:
- Peer-to-Peer Learning Exchange
- Party for the Planet
- 2019 Rock Your World with STEAM event
- Sustainable Cleveland Blog
- Other school or community events
YSLP GOALS AND BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION
By participating in the Youth Sustainability Leadership Program, students will:
- Gain exposure to the concept of sustainability, including higher education
and career opportunities; - Become leaders on sustainability at home, at school and in the community;
- Receive mentoring from community stakeholders devoted to sustainability to advance work on environmental issues within Greater Cleveland;
- Have the opportunity to share the knowledge and skills gained from the YSLP with peers through positive action and encouragement;
- Attain volunteer credit hour requirements;
- Earn Mayoral recognition; and
- Strengthen college admission applications and resumes by gaining valuable organization and leadership skills.
ROLES AND REQUIREMENTS OF YOUTH LEADERS
- Have an interest in sustainability and developing leadership skills, and be self-motivated, open-minded,
and eager to learn. - Attend the Culminating Sustainable Cleveland Summit and actively participate in all activities.
- Use the skills and experience gained at the Summit to develop and implement sustainability projects at home, at school or in the community.
- Attend 6 in-person meetings throughout the school year.
- Hold leadership roles at student conferences and/or public outreach events, helping to engage peers and community members in sustainability and climate action.
- Provide feedback on how YSLP can be improved for future generations.
- Have FUN!
ROLES AND REQUIREMENTS OF YOUTH LEADERS
- Have an interest in sustainability and developing leadership skills, and be self-motivated, open-minded,
and eager to learn. - Attend the Culminating Sustainable Cleveland Summit and actively participate in all activities.
- Use the skills and experience gained at the Summit to develop and implement sustainability projects at home, at school or in the community.
- Attend 6 in-person meetings throughout the school year.
- Hold leadership roles at student conferences and/or public outreach events, helping to engage peers and community members in sustainability and climate action.
- Provide feedback on how YSLP can be improved for future generations.
- Have FUN!
HOW TO APPLY
Email the signed Application Form to Philena Seldon at [email protected]. The form requires signatures from
the student applicant, student’s parent/guardian, and a teacher or principal.
YSLP 2019-2020 Application (WORD)
YSLP 2019-2020 Application (PDF)
YSLP Applications are due on Friday, September 27, 2019.
