Welcome to Delmarva Youth Service Leaders!
…where service fuels a movement. We empower youth to shape vibrant communities, challenging norms and propelling personal success. Join us in redefining the future, where every young person leads the charge for change.
“Spreading the Joy of Service, Building Vibrant Communities, and Setting the Stage for Lifelong Success“
Are you ready to challenge the status quo and join a movement that believes in the transformative power of youth, not just as leaders of tomorrow, but as the driving force of positive change?
The 7 Concrete Benefits of Delmarva Youth Service Leaders
Leadership Training
Every Saturday, participants dive into an all-day, exclusive training session to boost their leadership skills. Together with friends and team members, they explore modern transformative leadership concepts and hone effective mentorship skills. The focus is on self-management, covering accountability, journaling, self-reflection, goal-setting, prioritization, and intuitive practices.
Youth Mastermind
During their weekly Saturday leadership training, youth engage in an 1-hour group mastermind. They support each other in pursuing excellence in their life by reflecting on past highlights and challenges, and discussing personal and service-related issues. This fosters a sense of wholeness and builds essential professional skills like group consultation, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence.
Mentorship
Participants are given tools and training to engage in weekly mentorship on their own time and within their own networks. Their goal is to guide at least one five-year-old child in reading, study, and prayer each week. This consistent practice aims to instill essential intellectual and spiritual habits in both mentors and young learners. Further more, this simple activity builds confidence and vital leadership skills within youth mentors.
Service Teams
Alongside weekly mentorship, youth form neighborhood-focused service teams supported by committed adults. Their goal is to eventually offer mentorship services to all local children, fostering collaboration with like-minded individuals and families to creatively transform community life.
Monthly Team Feast
On the First Saturday evening of each month, youth, their families, and supporting adults gather at our leadership center in Federalsburg, MD. They share developments, celebrate achievements, consult on challenges, and enjoy a festive potluck dinner to kick off the new month.
Monthly Field Trips
Each month, youth will have the opportunity to visit other local towns or a nearby major city. In addition to enjoying the sight and amenities of a new area, they will engage other youth peers and communities, strengthening a network of mutual support amongst emerging youth community leaders.
Occasional Outings
Every so often, the team enjoys a special recreational outing like a trip to the cinemas, roller skating, bowling, or dinner at a restaurant.
Who is this program for?
There are currently three ways to be a part of this movement – as a Participant, Volunteer, or Donor.
Participants
Our leadership program is designed for youth between grades 6 through 12. They are invited to every leadership training on Saturday and to join or form a service team. They are required to mentor at least one child on a weekly basis and to keep up with leadership study objectives. Training on the first Saturday of the month is mandatory. If participants are not able to keep up with the basic requirements, they will not be able to attend monthly field trips or outings.
Volunteers
Volunteers are regularly needed for supervision to maintain the safety of our young participants. They are needed for all activities โ Saturday Leadership Trainings, Neighborhood Service Team efforts, Monthly Team Feasts, Field Trips, and Outings. Commitment is based on what you are willing to do and whether it is a right fit for the activity need. Volunteer engagements can expand to much greater projects and creative paths based on the movementโs evolution.
Donors
The sustainability of our program depends greatly on community contributions. Money is needed to cover program-related expenses, such as :
- Field Trips and Outings: transportation rentals, gas, meals, and admission fees
- Training and Service Materials: binders, papers, writing utensils, arts and crafts, printing costs, sports and recreational supplies, and other office and cleaning supplies
- Meals and Snacks: lunch and dinner provided every Saturday for program participants
- Rentals: for occasional youth retreats and special events
You can make online contributions at www.delmarvainstitute.org.*
Book donations are also highly valued, as our reading program is a central activity for youth mentoring children on a weekly basis.
* The Delmarva Youth and Family Institute is a formal 501(c)3 and is one of our primary financial sponsors.
Program Details
Start Date:
Saturday, February 3rd, 2024
End Date:
None, this is an ongoing program throughout the year, available for participants through high school graduation.
Frequency:
Weekly on Saturdays for Leadership Training
Time:
10am to 7:30pm
Location:
Delmarva Youth Leadership Center at 101 N. Main St, Federalsburg, MD.
Availability:
Space is limited! Only 30 spaces available for participants. Rolling enrollment until program is full.
Transportation:
Determined on a case-by-case basis.
How Do You Join?
- Share your interest.
Complete an interest form or contact us directly at admin@delmarvainstitute.org or 302-401-1087. Identify whether you would like to engage as a participant, volunteer, and/or donor. Tell us more about yourself and why you are interested in joining.
- Schedule a one-on-one call.
After you have shared your interest, a representative from Delmarva Youth Service Leaders will reach out to you to schedule a one-on-one call to explore your interests and discover if this is a good mutual fit.
- Complete initial registration forms.
Once there is a mutual agreement to move forward, you will be guided to complete the initial registration forms. Participants and their parents or guardians must complete a formal application and review and sign participant conduct guidelines and other expectations.
*All volunteers will be guided through a Background and Motor/Vehicle clearance process before they can begin to help with any supervision or transportation.
- Consider Making a Monthly Contribution.
To keep the program widely accessible, there are no program fees, but there are many program expenses. It costs us about $100 per month for each participant. We rely on the generous support of community members and our sponsors to help us provide our high quality trainings and activities. Please consider making a monthly online contribution at www.delmarvainstitute.org. The Delmarva Youth and Family Institute is a formal 501(c)3 and is one of our primary financial sponsors.
- Complete program onboarding.
Special training and workshops will be required for both participants and volunteers as they begin to engage the program, such as reviewing guidelines for the safety and protection of minors, and best practices for decision-making and conflict resolution.
