Teen Leadership Programs
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Generation SERVE Summer Leadership Academy builds teens' community leadership skills through volunteerism. Youth ages 13 and up will learn from seasoned volunteers, nonprofit professionals, and community leaders about what it takes to make real change and commit to values like compassion, empathy, and justice. After training, each teen will be matched with a younger participant to guide them through an independent service project. The summer 2021 program includes live virtual trainings and one in-person, hands-on service event.
Teens will learn about community leadership and will have a chance to develop and practice skills like public speaking, goal setting, teamwork, and project planning. |
Teens help inspire the next generation of volunteers and community leaders on our service pathway. |
2021 Summer Leadership Academy Recap
Thank you for a great Summer Leadership Academy!
Thank you all for another wonderful summer with our Teen Leadership Program! This year, we revamped our program to center on leadership and mentorship skills. Every teen who entered the program went through an extensive two day orientation, complete with training from our Teen Advisory Board members, and speakers throughout the nonprofit sector. After Orientation, each teen was then paired with a fellow mentor in their Leadership Program and paired up with a mentee, from our Project Mentee Summer Program. Through this Mentorship model, our teens were able to lead the Project Mentee participants through a summer community project.
We are so excited that this was a successful and meaningful summer program- let’s hear from some of our Teen Leadership participants!
We are so excited that this was a successful and meaningful summer program- let’s hear from some of our Teen Leadership participants!
During my experience at Generation Serve, I practiced elevator pitches, strengthened my leadership skills, and learned how to lead young kids. While training with Generation Serve, I learned how to present important facts about non-profit organizations in a short period of time” - Jack, Teen
“This mentorship has helped me in a lot of ways, and I will use these skills to my advantage for a long time. Thank you generation SERVE for teaching me how to be a better leader ” - Abel, Teen
“I observed that both her organizational and analytic skills improved in how to make a project happen from conceiving it to delivering it. She gained confidence in leading, as well.” - Tara Sims, Parent
Thank you to our Professional Speakers!
Matrex Kilgore, Creative Action
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Elena Lopez, Refugee Services of Texas
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Frank Nappi, Creative Action
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Molly Connor, SEARCH Homeless Services
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Lisa Helfman, Brighter Bites
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Amy Stansbury, The Austin Common
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2021 Summer Leadership Academy Information
The application for Summer 2021 Teen Leadership Program is now closed.
Program Fee: $220 ($200 for Generation SERVE Family Sponsors)
Who Can Apply?
Teens in Austin and Houston, Texas are invited to apply. You must be at least 13 at the start date of your cohort and should have some experience with volunteerism and demonstrate your commitment to learning and leadership. You must also be able to fulfill all requirements of the program.
Youth ages 8-12 can register as a Summer Leadership Academy Project Mentee. These youth can be new to service and want to learn how to be part of the community!
Youth ages 8-12 can register as a Summer Leadership Academy Project Mentee. These youth can be new to service and want to learn how to be part of the community!
Key Dates for Applying to the Summer Leadership Academy
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Virtual Information Sessions
Friday, 2/26, 6:00 - 7:00 pm: Pre-register for the Zoom meeting here Saturday, 3/6, 10:00 - 11:00 am: Pre-register for the Zoom meeting here Applications Open Friday, 2/26 Applications Close Friday, 4/9, 5:00 pm |
Group Interviews
Selected applicants will be invited to attend one group interview. Thursday, 4/15, 6:00 - 7:30 pm Saturday, 4/17, 10:00 - 11:30 am Saturday, 4/17, 1:00 - 3:30 pm Acceptance Notifications Sent Friday, April 23 The payment form will be sent to accepted applicants and payment will be due by 5/1. |
Program Cohort Options
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June Cohort A
Orientation & Training (virtual): Monday, 6/14, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 - 3:00 pm Wednesday, 6/16, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 - 3:00 pm Group Service (in-person): Friday, 6/18, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Project Sessions & Training (virtual): Wednesday, 6/23, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Wednesday, 6/30, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Independent Projects Due: Monday, 7/12 Cohort Wrap Up & Presentations: Friday, 7/16, 1:00 - 4:00 pm June Cohort B
Orientation & Training (virtual): Tuesday, 6/15, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 - 3:00 pm Thursday, 6/17, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 - 3:00 pm Group Service (in-person): Friday, 6/18, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Project Sessions & Training (virtual): Thursday, 6/24, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Thursday, 7/1, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Independent Projects Due: Monday, 7/12 Cohort Wrap Up & Presentations: Friday, 7/16, 1:00 - 4:00 pm |
July Cohort A
Orientation & Training (virtual): Monday, 7/12, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 - 3:00 pm Wednesday, 7/14, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 - 3:00 pm Group Service (in-person): Friday, 7/16, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Project Sessions & Training (virtual): Wednesday, 7/21, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Wednesday, 7/28, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Independent Projects Due: Monday, 8/9 Cohort Wrap Up & Presentations: Friday, 8/13, 1:00 - 4:00 pm July Cohort B
Orientation & Training (virtual): Tuesday, 7/13, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 - 3:00 pm Thursday, 7/15, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 - 3:00 pm Group Service (in-person): Friday, 7/16, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Project Sessions & Training (virtual): Thursday, 7/22, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Thursday, 7/29, 1:00 - 4:00 pm Independent Projects Due: Monday, 8/9 Cohort Wrap Up & Presentations: Friday, 8/13, 1:00 - 4:00 pm |
After completion of our Summer Leadership Academy, many of our Teen Leaders stay engaged with Generation SERVE year-round in the following ways:
- Continue co-leading volunteer activities
- Become a Generation SERVE Activity Lead
- Lead Teen Service Days and service fairs
- Assist with trainings and events during Teen Leadership alum-specific shifts
- Join our Teen Advisory Board (TAB)!
Our Teen Leaders in Action
Teen Leads preparing to lead the
Caritas of Austin family volunteering activity 
A Teen leading a Service Learning Program for 3rd - 5th graders
Teens working together at a training
Teen Leads pose for a picture at their Teen Huddle meeting
Teen Lead leading activities at Sammy's House Splash Day camp!
Teens helping to lead an activity at Caritas of Austin
Teen co-leading at El Buen Samaritano food pantry
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Teen Lead taking picture of families with the cards
they made at a Front Steps Card Making activity 
Teen Lead, Mahir, introduces volunteer families to the Carrying Hope activity
Teen Service Day at Austin Humane Society
Teens ready to read a story and lead a service activity at Whole Foods Kids' Club!
Teens participating in guided inquiry training during their orientation week
Teens with honorary Youth Lead, Texas First Lady, Cecilia Abbott
Teen Lead visits with a resident at Barton Hills Assisted Living!
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Teen Leads, Aydan & Dylan, ready to lead an activity!
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Teens leading an outdoor clean-up activity
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Teens help to lead a Generation SERVE corporate service fair!