Teens Selected for Leadership Training

Members of the Van Buren Youth Leadership Council (YLC) have been selected to attend a Leadership training on September 21st and 22nd in Des Moines, Iowa.

Our society holds many biases and stereotypes about young people, when in fact they are often very effective, dedicated community activists in Substance Abuse Prevention.  This will be an interactive training and 'hands-on' learning experience.  This training will help youth understand the concept of environmental strategies and how to implement them in order to make effective changes in their community. 

This highly interactive training will teach what is required to create and nurture growth of committed leaders and their work within coalitions, As a result of the training, youth and adults will be better equipped to develop strategic action plans that clearly define the strategies that will be used to address problems that their individual coalition is striving to affect.

Two of the selected youth, Abby Rider and Lydia Heald, have previously attended these trainings in Washington D.C and Phoenix. They have both been selected as youth facilitators for this training in Des Moines. The other twelve students to be selected for this event include; Faith Murphy, Cassie Johnson, Drew Nolting, Carson Schuck, Hallie Whitten, Rachel Warrick, Noah Whitten, Maddison Zimmer, Tiffany Beggs, Emily Jester, Libby King and Gloria Nelson.

Upon their return from the training these teens will be sharing what they have learned at an all day training for their peers in Van Buren County to be held at the Roberts Building in October. Be watching for good things to come from these kids in the community!

For more information on this training or any YLC activities please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412 or info@vbsafecoalition.com