During the fall semester, it's the REEL Project, providing mentoring and support for young men in grades 6-10. At the holiday season, it's the ABC2 Campaign which provides new and slightly used stuffed animals to the metro-Atlanta childrens' hospitals, providing patients and their families with some holiday cheer.
Now it's the "meat and potatoes" portion of programming by the LEAD Foundation, Inc. in the form of the ALPHA Leadership Program (Alpha Leadership Program for Higher Achievement).
"This is our cornerstone program for male and female students in grades 6-12", notes executive director, Michael Woodward.
Starting on Saturday, January 26th at Snellville Middle School, and continuing through mid-April, students are able to receive hands-on learning and development opportunities on a broad range of topics and contemporary issues. Careers, business and entrepreneurship, college fundamentals, and health and wellness are among the multiple learning modules students are taking during the upcoming semester.
"Our program is free and open to all students", notes board member Sharon Edwards. Fellow board member Latabia Woodward adds, "We are excited to provide high-level programming that our students and parents are able to use for their growth and development".
Parents are able to register their students on-line, as well as receive weekly updates via email. The foundation also has a Facebook and Twitter presence as another means of keeping in contact with students, parents, volunteers, and its supporters.
Each module usually runs from 9am-12:30pm, including breakfast and lunch. Students are requested to dress in either business or business casual attire, with the exception of the two (2) service projects they are doing as part of the program.
"We are here to improve the academic and professional skill sets of our students; your first impression is sometimes your only impression. Some of our students, based on their attire and etiquette, have been offered opportunities ranging from jobs to scholarships on the spot", adds board member Willie Cartwright.
As many call out for reinvestment in communities, especially as it relates to the lives of young people, the LEAD Foundation consistently heeds the call. Through its programming and focus on providing improved access to resources grounded in the academic, professional, and personal development of students (and in some instances, adults), their motto of "developing tomorrow's leaders today" isn't a catchy catch-phrase or statement of the moment.
Given the needs of the community, it's about making a sincere and sustained effort to reach back, enlighten, empower, and make a positive difference and impact in the lives of people and the communities they are a part of. The board members, parents, and volunteers that are a part of the LEAD Foundation clearly see the larger picture.
Be a part of it instead of apart from it.
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