The Community Foundation is pleased to award the Lebanon Kiwanis Club $2,000 for its 2015-2016 Boone County Kiwanis Youth Global Leadership Academy.  The Youth Academy’s mission is to “provide sophomore students in Boone County training that will prepare them for future leadership roles and in so doing to become exposed to the diversity of cultural experiences and interactions that Boone County has to offer, and then as Juniors and Seniors to apply these to service projects that benefit the community.”

Many communities across the nation, including Boone County, are faced with the challenge of developing new leaders to fill positions in government, the private sector and nonprofit organizations.  After discussions with school superintendents, business, government, and nonprofit leaders, it was discovered that brain and leadership drain is a prevalent issue in Boone County.  Once young people receive their high school diploma, many go on to receive a post-secondary degree and begin to pursue their careers away from the community.  In order to address the leadership deficit, initiating leadership development and sparking a passion for Boone County at an early age is important.

The Boone County Kiwanis Youth Global Leadership Academy was established to develop leaders and to spark their passion for Boone County. Each high school selects 10 sophomore students (30 in total) who they believe will benefit from the program.  Once selected, sophomores participate in 4 half-day long sessions conducted by consultants and volunteers from various institutions and businesses in the community.  Upon completing the first year, students have the opportunity to continue in the program through participating in community service projects during their junior and senior years.

The Community Foundation is happy to support the Boone County Kiwanis Youth Global Leadership Academy in their efforts to develop the next generation of leaders.  The grant was made possible through the Community Impact Fund, which supports various projects, programs and initiatives that improve the quality of life in Boone County.

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To donate to Community Impact Fund, click here. All donations to the Community Impact Fund are DOUBLED thanks to the matching grant opportunity from the Lilly Endowment.