Sewa Chicago LEAD 2025

(LEAD - Leadership, Education And Development) 

Youth Engagement Program for High School Students 

Eligibility for LEAD: Incoming and Current High Schoolers (Grades 8-12)

Eligibility for Design To Lead (DTL): Minimum 1 year experience with LEAD and currently in Grade 9 or above

Program Dates : December 2024 to October 2025

Registration Fee: $100 per student. $75 for each sibling

Registration Deadline: Sunday, November 24, 2024

Sewa Milan - LEAD Kickoff: Saturday, December 7, 2024

Commitment: All participants should exhibit commitment to the values of Sewa and act with integrity and discipline always. Each participant is expected to commit to at least 100 hours of volunteering. Parents need to commit to being the activity coordinator for at least 2 activities during the program and need to continuously support their children. Each DTL participant needs to commit to consistent participation in the weekly learning sessions. Parents of DTL participants need to be a mentor for their child's team on a rotational basis.

Benefits: As part of the LEAD program, young adults are provided with opportunities to participate and / or lead various activities and to earn volunteering hours. Sewa International will provide certificates as well as a recommendation for The President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) for qualified participants. Volunteering hours accumulated through LEAD activities will only be counted.

Here is a sample list of activities:

1. Environment and Sustainability

2. Health Drives

3. Food Drives

4. DIY initiatives

5. Design To Lead (DTL) - Apply design thinking to identify a social issue, develop solutions, and implement them

6. Fundraising to support Sewa Projects and local organizations

7. Holistic individual development including career, yoga and meditation

All LEAD participants are required to sign the waiver during registration to be able to participate.

For general questions, please refer to the FAQ here.

Contact lead-chicago@sewausa.org for any questions.