Introducing. . .YLI! (In their own words!)
The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) builds off of AAI’s Youth Arts Workshop (YAW), one of AAI’s longest running programs which fulfills the need for affordable, safe, constructive out of school time (OST) space for youth at risk. YLI is a direct response to the multitude of high school students that graduate from YAW who return as volunteers, mentoring younger youth and developing their sense of civic duty and belonging.
We are so happy to introduce ourselves to you! We are the Youth Leadership Initiative!
YLI is an afterschool program that takes place over the course of the school year, located on the second floor of the AAI building, room Studio B. The program consists of 17 students ranging from grades nine to twelve and two wonderful, amazing, beautiful teachers, Teacher Mehgan and Teacher Nila.
After school, we travel mountains, deserts, and swim oceans to get here on time. Here, we socialize, hold fundraisers, do homework and tutor one another.
Additionally, we create art! We practice and learn a variety of different forms of art, ranging from painting, zines, block printing, crocheting, digital art, and even cooking. Most importantly, YLI is a safe zone for students to openly discuss any issues, views, and opinions without judgment.
The primary goal of YLI is to foster leadership skills. We are supported in promoting self-growth to help us learn a set of useful skills outside of academics. These skills help us prepare for the world outside of school.
With events like the AAI Community Fair, we not only get to create our own artwork but also sell it and put it out into the world. Through creative expression, we get to learn more about ourselves as individuals. We learn to communicate with our peers, collaborate as a whole, and above all, develop self-responsibility.
Each Spring, through an experience modeled after the TV show Shark Tank, we spend our term working together to pitch, plan and execute a field trip of our choosing. This year, we have set our sights on either Dorney Park or a beach day at the Jersey Shore as the end-of-year excursion! Our goal is to explore different environments through the fruits of our labor. This trip will allow for community building, leadership opportunities, and having fun together.
To bring this vision to life, we planned and organized a fundraiser! You can find us on May 3rd at the AAU Arts and Lifestyle Fair event from 11 am to 3 pm. You can also find us at the AAI Annual Benefit on May 9th from 6 pm to 9 pm. We will have a stand selling artwork made by the students of YLI. We will be selling flower bouquets, cards, stickers, keychains, zines, and we will also have a live drawing photo booth. Hope to see you there! If you aren’t able to attend, no worries! You can still contribute by donating through this Summer!