In the Lead works within school settings as an extra-curricular opportunity for the unlikely and unseen leaders in those communities. School staff nominate students to participate.
We also work with community partners to offer our programming outside of the school system. Our community programs operate both on a closed nomination basis (where the program partner nominates youth to participate), as well as an open-enrollment basis (where youth can self-register or have a family member register them).
Click below to learn more about our two open-enrollment programs!
Weekly Classes
The 90 minute weekly classes are held within the schools and cover core leadership competencies that build resilience, leadership capacity, coping strategies and is proven to increase self-esteem and positive connection to community. Students can earn up to 3 Alberta Education credits for their participation.
Coach/Mentorship
Because we know that the biggest difference between thriving and just surviving is one caring adult, all Young Leaders in the school-based program are paired with a screened, trained and supported Coach/Mentor. The role of the Coach/Mentor is simple: get to know a great Young Leader, find out what strengths they have and encourage them to use those strengths in all aspects of their lives. Young Leaders and Coaches/Mentors connect in different ways; ongoing text and phone conversations, one to one meetings in the community and during group volunteering events or scheduled class time. Coaches/Mentors are invited to attend weekly classes as often as they can.
Group Volunteering
Young Leaders and Coaches/Mentors participate in a few group volunteering events in the community throughout the program. These volunteering opportunities are a highlight for Young Leaders as they are a way for them to discover and apply their leadership strengths in a meaningful and productive way. It is also critical to their ability to see themselves as positive and influential members of a community.
With respect, gratitude, and accountability, Calgary Youth Justice Society acknowledges the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy which includes the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani Nations, the Îyârhe Nakoda Nation, Tsuut’ina Nation, the Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 & 6, and we honour all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
We see and celebrate the many strengths of Indigenous people and commit to reflect upon and change our ways of knowing, being, and doing so that we can truly work towards reconciliation in a meaningful way.
