Education Volunteer Spotlight

In each issue of the Education Journal we highlight an education volunteer opportunity that helps youth succeed in central Ohio. This month’s opportunity is with LeaderSpark, a program designed to ignite the power of youth leadership. The student spotlight features Keneije Smalls, a Columbus teenager who has benefited tremendously from the LeaderSpark program. Read more to learn about LeaderSpark and how it has transformed the future for Keneije.

LeaderSpark believes that all young people can be leaders. Launched in 1987, the program develops young leaders by providing a practical leadership skills curriculum, as well as coaching and training support through partnerships with organizations. Participants learn life-changing leadership skills and experience opportunities that result in personal growth and positive changes in their groups, schools and neighborhoods.

LeaderSpark trains adults to facilitate the LeaderSpark interactive curriculum, and collaborates with schools and community-based organizations to offer LeaderSpark training to youth and supporting adults. Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

• Program facilitating or training
• Grant research assistance
• Fundraising assistance
• Event planning and implementation
• Program committee
• Online fundraising/marketing assistance
• Technology assistance
• Office assistance

To learn more about volunteer opportunities with LeaderSpark, visit

www.leaderspark.org, call 614.442.7899 or send an email to Info@leaderspark.org.

Featured Volunteer: Keneije Smalls

Keneije, a senior at Fort Hayes Metropolitan High School, has been involved in LeaderSpark since she was a freshman. She credits the program for helping her develop new leadership skills, while building and improving existing skills, broadening her interests and opening up new opportunities.

Keneije has been an active participant in four LeaderSpark projects, including the Go Anti-Gang Violence (GAV) project and an anti-bullying initiative called Speak UP! As part of her involvement with the GAV project, she became a topic leader, created brochures and sought varying ways to create community awareness of gang violence. Keneije expanded the group's message by taking the lead in coordinating and delivering a successful presentation on gang violence to her peers at Fort Hayes. This experience helped her build confidence and become a more self-assured public speaker.

Guided by LeaderSpark staff, Keneije and another teen are currently working together on Speak UP! Through this anti-bullying initiative, the teens give presentations to adults and students on ways everyone can help change the culture that supports bullying in neighborhoods and schools. In recognition of her many accomplishments, LeaderSpark recently presented Keneije with its Youth Leadership for Change award.

"LeaderSpark has empowered me to make change in my school, my neighborhood and my community," says Keneije. "I believe that the program has made me a better teen, a better friend and a better neighbor."