ILF Youth Leadership Academy (YLA)

ILF Youth Leadership Academy (YLA)

Program Overview: The Youth Leadership Academy is a summer program designed to cultivate the next generation of young civic leaders through intensive seminars, lectures, hands-on projects, and a community impact project.

Geographic Scope: National program, virtual and local community-based components

Target Audience:

High school students

Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Focus Areas:

Public policy

Leadership development

Entrepreneurial mindset

Civic engagement

Democracy and civic participation

Social impact projects

Community service

Program Components:

1-Week Intensive Seminar: Virtual seminar covering foundational topics (typically June-July)

- Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Entrepreneurs Meet Civic Engagement
- Fireside Chat on Leadership
- Sessions with podcast hosts and civic experts
- Speakers from government, business, and nonprofit sectors

6-Week Summer Impact Project: Students secure volunteer, shadowing, or internship opportunities with local organizations

- Local government placements
- Nonprofit organizations
- Community service projects
- Real-world application of classroom learning

Mid-Summer and End-of-Summer Check-ins: Progress evaluations

Eligibility Requirements:

Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Minimum 3.0 GPA

Demonstrated community service involvement

Leadership experience required

Interest in public service, entrepreneurship, and/or business

What is Provided:

Leadership skills training

Understanding of public policy

Entrepreneurial thinking framework

Mentorship opportunities

Peer collaboration across the country

Professional development

Skills for civic engagement and community action

Contact Information:

Email: ilf@ileader.org

Contact person: Amy Cheng Tarnoviski

Phone: 202-351-0575

Email: amy.tarnoviski@ileader.org

Address: Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW #700, Washington DC 20004

Organization Background:

Administered by the International Leadership Foundation (ILF)

Founded in 2000

Mission: Cultivate civic-minded future AAPI leaders

Promotes civic engagement, leadership, empowerment, and economic prosperity

Has provided scholarships and educational programs to over 10,000 AAPI students