LEAP:
LEAP (Leadership, Education, Awareness, Prevention) is a high school teen leadership group focusing on community service and social action. LEAP meets weekly on Monday nights throughout the school year at Response Center's Skokie location. Members discuss issues and concerns that they have within their schools and communities and plan services events/projects to address these issues. In the past, LEAP has planned/participated in:
Bingo Night at Lieberman Geriatric Center
Habitat for Humanity
Hawaiian themed party and book drive
Open mic nights
Sexual violence prevention events
Picnics and lock-ins
Assist-A-Family self-care drive
Y-Me Race Against Breast Cancer
Outdoor ropes course
Earth Day Celebration
LEAP FORWARD EVENTS: A series of social awareness/volunteer events planned by the LEAP participants. These events are open to the entire youth community. Past events have included suicide prevention, Hurricane Katrina fundraiser and local food drives.
For further information, contact:
Britny Kiehnau or Mari Meyer
britnykiehnau@jcfs.org marimeyer@jcfs.org
224-625-2911 224-625-2946
*Response Center does NOT provide transportation to events. Volunteers are responsible for finding a ride to and getting to and from service events.
SNOWBALL:
A teen-led weekend retreat that addresses topics important to teenagers such as relationships, communication, decision-making and diversity. Teen leaders who have been trained during the year, facilitate group discussions and presentations to peers. This past year almost 50 teenagers attended, representing 14 different high schools from around the Chicago land area. The Snowball staff consisted of 18 high school aged teenagers who attended weekly meetings for 9 months in preparation for the retreat. The leaders prepared by facilitating icebreakers and discussions in group meetings, and received extensive training on leadership, communication, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention, stress management and sexuality.
In all, the retreat is a powerful experience during which teens explore their lives, cultivate new friendships and display an openness and acceptance that is incredible to behold. We look forward to North Shore Operation Snowball 2009! Hold the dates: March 20, 21, 22, 2009!