For more than 30 years, Leadership Oklahoma City has been a force for positive change in the metro area. The organization works to develop and support prominent members of the business community and nonprofit sector, and their impact extends also to the next generation of future leaders. Leadership OKC has trained over 3,500 adult and youth leaders to work toward improving their community.
Youth Leadership Exchange (YLX), the organization’s youth development program, is Oklahoma City’s premiere high school leadership program and engages more than 100 outstanding students each school year. Designed to develop future community leaders, YLX works to connect teenagers to many of the city’s most influential citizens, businesses and nonprofit leaders. The program meets monthly throughout the school year and is offered at no cost to participants.
“YLX was established in 1995, so we have been changing lives for nearly 30 years,” explains Lesley Jones, YLX program director. “This is a huge milestone, especially looking back on the generations of leaders that have been allowed to grow and learn in the program.”
A Leadership OKC alumna, Lesley stepped into her role at YLX this past August. She also participated in a similar high school leadership program at her alma mater in Edmond, so she knew first-hand about the important impact that programs like YLX can offer.
“I was just drawn into this opportunity,” she says. “I have always been passionate about helping high school students find a way to connect with like-minded people. Our purpose is to identify the next generation of leaders, connect them with current Oklahoma City community leaders, and allow them to realize opportunities in their hometown. The end goal is for YLX students to picture themselves stepping into those roles and pouring back into OKC. I enjoy getting to help shape this program.”
Lesley says that one benefit the program provides for participants is that students can list a well-known and well-respected organization on their future resumes and college applications, and YLX staff can write meaningful recommendations based on their actual abilities.
“Being able to connect students to professionals in the industry is one of the biggest advantages that we offer,” she adds. “I have seen so many instances where it has opened doors for internships, scholarships and other opportunities.”
YLX offers three tracks for interested students: Leadership Skills, Youth in Action and Youth Council of OKC. These programs are designed to strengthen crucial personal skills, such as self-awareness and communication skills, as well as skills that will benefit them in their future workplaces.
The YLX Leadership Skills track mirrors the Leadership Oklahoma City experience, focusing on personal leadership skills, team building, networking and effective communication. The program builds on existing leadership skills that the students already have and allows them to build a more holistic view of what true leadership encompasses. It also exposes participants to different careers and allows them to learn directly from leaders in that industry.
The Youth in Action track allows participants to focus on supporting nonprofits. Students select a specific area or cause of interest and explore the fundraising process. Participants raise funds, collaborate to write a mission statement, and then issue a call to local nonprofits that fit within the mission statement to submit grant applications. Then, they work as a team to evaluate the grant applications, conduct interviews and evaluate presentations to decide who to award the funds.
In the Youth Council track, participants explore city operations through a partnership with the Oklahoma City City Council. Two students from each city ward are selected to work with their city counselors, and two at-large students work directly with the mayor of Oklahoma City. Students learn about important issues affecting each ward, as well as municipal services and partnering organizations.
Applications from interested students will be accepted through April 15. Lesley says that the diversity of students who participate allows the program to have a widespread impact in the community, and to make a tangible difference in the lives of the students involved.
“Today, I believe that young people in Oklahoma City see countless opportunities to have a variety of careers and interests. I feel like the attitudes of the generations between my class and that of today's class truly shifted and grew with the landscape of Oklahoma City. I don't think staying in their hometown is the ‘fallback plan’ anymore. I think they have been shown the route, followed the lead and now the path is clear,” Lesley concludes.
“Our biggest focus is that they leave our program knowing who they are and feeling confident in who they are. We are proud to give them that confidence as they begin planning the next chapter of their life.”
For more information, contact Lesley Jones, YLX program director, at 405.463.3340 or ylx@lokc.org. More information about Leadership Oklahoma City and Youth Leadership Exchange can be found at www.lokc.org.
