YOUTH LEADERSHIP ST. LOUIS (YLSL) educates our region’s youth to become our future leaders. Founded in 1989, the program provides high school juniors with a firsthand opportunity to gain problem-solving skills and strategies, develop awareness of issues in our region, and learn how they can make a positive difference. The premiere youth leadership training curriculum in the region, YLSL is the area’s only established inter-district high school program that is non-competitive in nature. For the YLSL Class of 2009-2010 there are 160 students from the following schools:

 The YLSL Experience

YLSL links students whose neighborhoods, families, and life experiences are as diverse as the students themselves. Students are brought together from public, private, urban, rural, and parochial high schools, as well the Girl Scout Council. YLSL members attend two-day workshops each month during the school year. The program begins with an overnight team-building retreat in September and ends with a graduation ceremony in May. A teacher/advisor from each participating school supports students during each and every program day.

Workshops are a combination of team-building exercises, conflict resolution models, experiential learning, and dialogue with community leaders who serve as role models. Students visit sites such as:

• St. Louis City Hall
• St. Louis Holocaust Museum
• City Museum
• City and county area courts and prisons
• Social service agencies

Using different sites and speakers to spark dialogue, YLSL explores important issues like diversity, crime and violence, the effects of poverty, and varying situations where non-traditional leadership is being used to create change. Students identify and develop their own leadership strengths. Many program graduates give back to the community by serving on nonprofit boards, participating on United Way Allocations Panels, and creating their own community service projects.

Selection Process, Fees, and Sponsors

YLSL selection begins at the end of sophomore year and is administered by the participating high schools. Fees are $500 per student and paid by participating schools and contributions from the community. FOCUS St. Louis thanks the following companies and foundations for their generous support of the Youth Leadership St. Louis program.

• Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
• Cardinals Care
• Emerson
• William T. Kemper Foundations
• MetLife Foundation
• The Jordan Charitable Foundation
• Nestlé Purina PetCare Company
• The Saigh Foundation
• The Simon Foundation

For details contact YLSL Director Mary Dee Schmidt at 314-622-1250 x114.

Downloadable Resources

• What are people saying about YLSL?
• View or print the Youth Leadership St. Louis brochure. (8.5 x 11)