Sample Projects

Contact YLFA

CRF Youth Site

Youth Leadership for Action

What is Youth Leadership for Action?

Youth Leadership for Action(YLFA) is Constitutional Rights Foundation's (CRF) leadership development program for young people committed to initiating positive change in their communities. YLFA emphasizes the importance of active citizenship through the completion of interactive and developmental workshops. Participating youth identify community needs and resources and develop effective responses to issues important to young people in their community. YLFA participants are provided with the opportunity to network with local service providers, policymakers, and business leaders to design and implement collaborative projects that will promote positive change in the communities they live, work, and play.

How does YLFA Work?

YLFA Teams, which consist of 5-20 high school students and an adult sponsor, are based in high schools and community-based organizations throughout the city of Los Angeles.

YLFA Students are those with leadership potential and a willingness to participate in CRF workshops and events and in the development of a service project.

YLFA Adult Sponsors act as a liaison with YLFA staff, coordinate the team's participation in YLFA activities and events, and facilitate the development of a service project.

How can we become a part of YLFA?

YLFA Teams can get involved by attending either our Spring or Fall Youth Forum provided in partnership with the Los Angeles Mayor's Office. Prospective YLFA Teams receive outreach materials 8-10 weeks prior to this special event. Each team is asked to complete a brief community needs assessment that helps them to identify a local problem or need that is important to young people in their community. Teams then complete and return the Registration Form in order to reserve a spot at our next Youth Forum.

YLFA Program Components:

• Youth Forum: YLFA Teams attend a forum where they network with community leaders, local non-profits and businesses, and government officials to find out more about community problems or needs and develop a project outline that emphasizes a collaborative response.
  
  
• Project Proposal: YLFA Teams are invited to complete the YLFA Project Proposal Application. Participating youth outline their project's goals, objectives, and time-line. Selected groups are then awarded a $300.00 project budget to help develop and implement their service project.
  
  
• Taking Action Workshop: Selected YLFA Teams attend a project development workshop at CRF. Youth begin to put their plan into action by setting tasks, deadlines, and forming project committees.
  
  
• Service Project Assistance: YLFA staff provides ongoing assistance and meets with YLFA Teams when necessary to facilitate completion of their service project.
  
  
• Culmination Event: YLFA Teams and their families are invited to a culminating event. Each team makes a presentation describing their completed service project.

What are the benefits of participating in YLFA?

Community Service Requirements: Participation in YLFA's Youth Forum, Taking Action Workshops, and related project activities is an ideal way for high-school students to fulfill community service requirements for graduation.

Professional Development: Participating youth complete a variety of interactive activities that provide them with the opportunity to develop their communication, cooperative-learning, and critical-thinking skills. Youth also sharpen professional skills through the design, planning, and implementation of their own service project, networking with local government officials, business leaders, and other community members.

Other Incentives: The efforts of YLFA participants are acknowledged with official CRF Certificates, a letter of recognition, and other incentive items like access to opportunities for youth scholarships, internships, awards, and other student events.

Sample YLFA Projects:

Teens as Tutors Initiative", Highland Hall Waldorf School
Students are currently in the process of expanding their school's tutoring program. The students are making presentations to local high schools and elementary schools in order to gain support for the program. The students will be providing the high-school mentors with a one-day training session and the elementary school mentees with a small school-supply kit.

"Reaching out for the Sake of Others", Accelerated Charter School
Students collected donations of clothes, toys, and food from individuals and businesses in their local community. The students then created "Love Boxes" which will be delivered to 30 needy families for the Valentine's Day holiday.

Contact
For additional information about Youth Leadership for Action, please contact:
Constitutional Rights Foundation
601 S. Kingsley Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90005
crf@crf-usa.org

Past YLFA Participants