Division of Housing and Community Development

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Front Porch Florida Initiative - Youth Empowerment & Leadership Development Academy (YELDA)

Front Porch Florida Initiative Home | Program Contacts

The purpose of the Youth Empowerment & Leadership Development Academy (YELDA) is to improve the life skills and increase the life chances of underprivileged students in the Front Porch Florida communities. The YELDA program is three-fold, including a developmental workshop, guaranteed summer employment and a Youth Leadership and Development Summit.

The academy is designed to help students develop strong professional skills. Over the course of the program students will be exposed to numerous essential tools that they will be able to use throughout their lives. The developmental workshop includes discussions on such topics as developing good communication and leadership capabilities, resume writing and interviewing skills, appropriate professional and social etiquette, dressing for success, self-esteem and personal finance. In addition to gaining these important pieces of information, students will have an opportunity to put everything learned into play by working on a job that gives them the opportunity to be young professionals.

After successful completion of the developmental workshop and summer employment, students will be invited to attend the Youth Leadership and Development Summit hosted by the Office of Urban Opportunity. At the summit, students will have an opportunity to share with their peers lessons learned from this experience. They will be required to write a one-page overview of the entire YELDA program and the effect it had on their lives.