Youth Leadership Greater Washington | Leadership Greater Washington

Overview

Youth Leadership Greater Washington (YLGW) is a five-month interactive youth leadership development and community education program. Founded in 1991, this powerful program serves high school sophomores and juniors in the Greater Washington region. YLGW provides leadership training to these youth leaders while raising their voices around critical issues in the region. Thanks to the generosity of corporate and individual sponsors, youth leaders participate in the program tuition-free.

Young Minds Making an Impact

YLGW engages youth to raise their awareness of critical, relevant issues and challenge their assumptions about their roles as leaders in the world.

Participants will:

Gain leadership awareness and training specifically geared towards youth leaders
Build a network of diverse, authentic relationships with other youth peers from around the region
Identify community challenges, solutions, and explore how to lead now
Learn from the area's most influential changemakers about various leadership topics such as leadership styles, inclusion, social action, and resilience

Maxine R. Baker Scholarship

In 2014, Maxine B. Baker (’99), in addition to the Freddie Mac Foundation, provided Leadership Greater Washington with the generous resources to provide two deserving and talented members of the Youth Leadership Greater Washington graduating class with a scholarship award to help offset college expenses.

One member will receive a $1,000 scholarship award and another will receive a $500 scholarship award. YLGW participants will be notified when the essay application opens at their YLGW graduation in May.

Youth Leadership Greater Washington Testimonials

YLGW is the bridge, it’s a platform and a space that conjoins fixed points that were otherwise disconnected, to unite and create a path for accessibility, and the ability to progress and advance. YLGW is where the interconnectivity of humanity exists, it is where ideas, cultures, beliefs, and values are exchanged. It is a place of common ground. YLGW, is a platform of dialogue and debate without fear. Every day that I walked into YLGW I knew that I would be embarking on a new journey, a new endeavor, a new opportunity of exploration and discovery. A journey of development, growth, and solidarity. A journey that created a bridge where community exists, connectivity flourishes and communication engages.

Bijou Barry (YLGW '18)
When I was first introduced to YLGW, I will admit that I was skeptical. Leadership workshops that I had been to previously were very repetitive, but after participating, I realized that YLGW was so much more. The program really built on top of the leadership skills I had and made them stronger. There is something utterly amazing and magical when you become a part of something much bigger than yourself. I love being able to make friends who have the same interests and goals as I do and to discuss important issues in society.

Mimi Phan (YLGW '18)
Six months ago, I would never have expected what a life-changing experience I was about to go through with YLGW, and now I am a better leader because of it. My experiences with YLGW were nothing short of spectacular. Every day was designed to examine a different aspect of what makes a good leader, each aligning with the guiding principles of this class, Mindfulness, Empathy, and Inclusiveness, such as Health and Social Action Day. One of the most beneficial aspects of this program is the exposure it grants us leaders to the best of the world. I have met some incredible people who grew out of their adversity.

Rithika (YLGW '17)

YLGW is the bridge, it’s a platform and a space that conjoins fixed points that were otherwise disconnected, to unite and create a path for accessibility, and the ability to progress and advance. YLGW is where the interconnectivity of humanity exists, it is where ideas, cultures, beliefs, and values are exchanged. It is a place of common ground. YLGW, is a platform of dialogue and debate without fear. Every day that I walked into YLGW I knew that I would be embarking on a new journey, a new endeavor, a new opportunity of exploration and discovery. A journey of development, growth, and solidarity. A journey that created a bridge where community exists, connectivity flourishes and communication engages.

Bijou Barry (YLGW '18)
When I was first introduced to YLGW, I will admit that I was skeptical. Leadership workshops that I had been to previously were very repetitive, but after participating, I realized that YLGW was so much more. The program really built on top of the leadership skills I had and made them stronger. There is something utterly amazing and magical when you become a part of something much bigger than yourself. I love being able to make friends who have the same interests and goals as I do and to discuss important issues in society.

Mimi Phan (YLGW '18)
Six months ago, I would never have expected what a life-changing experience I was about to go through with YLGW, and now I am a better leader because of it. My experiences with YLGW were nothing short of spectacular. Every day was designed to examine a different aspect of what makes a good leader, each aligning with the guiding principles of this class, Mindfulness, Empathy, and Inclusiveness, such as Health and Social Action Day. One of the most beneficial aspects of this program is the exposure it grants us leaders to the best of the world. I have met some incredible people who grew out of their adversity.

Rithika (YLGW '17)