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
Selection Criteria: Due to limited available seats, enrollment will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Open to all nationalities, religious and ethnic backgrounds. Applicants who opt for the Design To Lead (DTL) program will go through screening to determine selection and final team placement
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.
