Programming

As an organization we provide a continuum of leadership opportunities for youth and young adults aged 14 to 23. This continuum is designed to keep youth engaged at different levels, capacities and ages within our organization over an extended period of time, including that critical transition stage between high school and further education/employment when so many young people fall between the cracks.

Temple Youth VOICES Project

The centerpiece of the UCCP's youth leadership development activities, VOICES seeks to build the individual and collective power of youth through collaborative research, education, and relationship building with community partners, non-profit organizations and government agencies. Integrating youth media, youth leadership development and youth organizing activities in community and university-based settings, VOICES helps develop the academic, technical and interpersonal skills of participants, connect them to their communities, and provide them with the knowledge and education necessary to make positive choices in their lives and meaningful change in their communities. Combining media with youth leadership development and community youth organizing activities enables VOICES participants to gain valuable technical skills and a strong comfort level with using technology while learning how to effectively use the media they produce as a tool for creating positive change. Participants meet two afternoons per week from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Temple's campus and one Saturday per month for special activities. Summer programming is 4 days per week, 5 hours per day over six weeks. Participants are typically between 14 and 18 years of age. VOICES is implemented by the UCCP's Leaders' Corp.

Temple Youth VOICES P.O.W.E.R. Internship (Prepare, Organize, Educate, Write, Reform/Reflect)

For high school juniors and seniors, the P.O.W.E.R. Internship integrates exposure to nonprofit work environments with the development of critical foundational, academic and technical skills that contribute to the interns' personal growth and leadership development, and enhance their knowledge of, and ability to address, issues that impact their community and city. Our approach is based on the philosophy that educational skills and work place skills are integrally related, and thus, seeks to unite the two in ways that are engaging, relevant and apparent to the high school student interns. Through project-based learning, that is grounded in the UCCP's community building and social justice approach, student interns gain a hands-on understanding of how nonprofits in general, and students/young people in particular, can contribute to the well being of their communities and the city. Working collaboratively on their projects, interns engage in research, critical thinking, communication, and public speaking activities as well as media production. Interns are also assigned specific organizational tasks and have opportunities to shadow UCCP and university staff, as well as college student leaders from across the city, thereby gaining a fuller picture of various professional opportunities and what they entail. The P.O.W.E.R. Internship is based on Temple's campus, one afternoon per week for 20 weeks. The Internship is implemented by the UCCP's Leaders' Corp.

Leadership Development Institute

The Institute provides intensive training for youth who have been through the VOICES' process and have demonstrated a readiness to assume a leadership role. The Institute focuses on the core principles of positive youth development, networking and community outreach, mentorship, youth organizing, and the use of media as a tool for community building and social change. The Leadership Development Institute runs during the summer for four weeks, 30 hours per week. Successful graduates of this institute have the opportunity to apply for a position on the Leaders' Corp.

Visit the VOICES website to find out more about past programs and activities: >>www.temple.edu/voices

For more information, please contact: VOICES Director, Catie Cavanaugh 215-204-2007 >>catiec@temple.edu