CYD receives grant from Community Foundation of Sarasota County for the STAR Leadership Training
Community Youth Development received a grant in the amount of $45,000 to continue the Students Taking Active Roles (or STAR) in Sarasota County Leadership Training from The Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Leslie and Margaret Weller Fund . Now in its tenth year, the STAR Leadership Training is a national model program designed to provide high school aged youth in Sarasota County with training and opportunities to serve in decision making positions in local and county government and community based organizations. “We appreciate the support for this important program for Sarasota County teens,” said Karen Bogues, Chief Executive Officer of CYD. “Youth want to make a difference in their community and through STAR they have the opportunity.” According to STAR graduate Haley Shaw, a rising senior at Riverview HS, “[serving] on my board is more than I could have ever expected. I feel like I'm making a difference and I am learning a lot about psychology as a career. I'm really thankful for the STAR Leadership program and CYD.” Shaw serves on the board of Sarasota Partnership for Children’s Mental Health.
STAR began in 2000 through a partnership between the Community Foundation, Sarasota County Government, and CYD. The training is a national model for leadership programs for teens. Since inception, more than 500 students have completed the training. Currently 140 youth are serving Sarasota County as board members for county or city advisory boards, and on not-for-profit boards of directors.
Applications are currently being accepted for high school students interested in participating in the Fall 2010 STAR Leadership Training. For more information or to receive an application, youth can contact the CYD Office by phone at 922-5126 or download an application by visiting www.cydonline.org.
