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Program

Youth Leadership Program

A year-long experience for high school juniors and seniors in Eastern Jackson County.

Quick facts

Duration
September – May
Grade
Juniors & seniors
Cost
Free
Cohort size
24 students
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In this page

Program contact

Melanie Adkins

Youth Programs Director

adkins@thcf.org

(816) 765-5300

Who this is for

Motivated high school juniors and seniors who want to lead in their schools and communities. No prior leadership experience required — curiosity and commitment are what we're looking for.

What you'll do

Four pillars of the program

01

Monthly workshops

Hands-on sessions on public speaking, project management, financial literacy, and civic engagement — led by local experts.

02

Community projects

Work in teams to design and deliver a community project. Past projects include a food drive, a public-art mural, and a local podcast.

03

Mentorship

Monthly one-on-one meetings with a professional mentor matched to your interests.

04

Scholarship

Every graduate earns a $1,000 scholarship for their college education.

Timeline

Your year at a glance

  1. September — Orientation

    Kick off weekend retreat. Meet your cohort and mentors.

  2. October–December — Foundation

    Monthly workshops on leadership, communication, and project planning.

  3. January — Community project launch

    Teams choose a community issue and begin designing their project.

  4. February–April — Execution

    Teams deliver their projects with coaching from mentors and THCF staff.

  5. May — Graduation

    Celebrate with family, showcase your project, and receive your scholarship.

Alumni voices

What graduates say

This program taught me how to show up for my community. I use what I learned every single week.

Priya S. Class of 2024 · Raytown High

The mentor relationship changed how I think about my future. I'm applying to colleges I never thought I'd consider.

Darius W. Class of 2023 · Blue Springs South

How to apply

Three steps

  1. 1

    Check eligibility

    You must be a rising junior or senior attending a high school in Jackson, Cass, or Lafayette counties.

  2. 2

    Submit application

    Complete the online application by March 15. A teacher or community reference is required.

  3. 3

    Interview

    Selected applicants interview with our program committee in April. Decisions go out in early May.

Ready to apply?

Applications for the 2026–2027 cohort open in January.

Start your application