The Resource Center, a local organization dedicated to promoting volunteerism and nonprofit effectiveness, has added a youth leadership component to its existing Community Leadership Program. Greater Flint Youth Leadership, a program created by an educational consortium composed of the Genesee Intermediate School District, local K-12 school administrators, and several institutions of higher education, merged with the Resource Center in September.

"The merger of this very popular and highly successful youth leadership program with our existing efforts to help train new community leaders will significantly enhance what we already do for the Flint area," said Dale K. Weighill, Executive Director.

Since 1997, the Greater Flint Youth Leadership Program has offered high school students from all over Genesee County the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and develop solutions to social problems. During a two-day retreat and several other sessions, students learn about local issues and resources, and work together on task force projects designed to help the

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community address a particular problem. The program is presently recruiting

between 40 and 50 Genesee County tenth graders for its 2001 class that begins in January.

"We’re looking forward to a very successful and productive year," said GFYL Program Director Karianne Martus. "Our new association with the Resource Center will allow us to expand the number of leadership opportunities available to program participants."

Students interested in learning more about Greater Flint Youth Leadership may call Program Director Karianne Martus at 487-1626, or ask their high school guidance counselor for application materials.

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