Ignite Youth Leadership Program
SANTA ANA & RIVERSIDE, CA
Ignite is a youth leadership program based out of Kid Works in Santa Ana, CA and The Avenue Church in Riverside, CA. We empower young men and women (middle & high school age students) to go into their neighborhood (blacktop, grass field, or sport court) using a sports ball to intentionally engage youth in a posture of love, prayer, and Integrity.
IYLP typically runs two days a week after school, with once-a-month field trips throughout the fall, winter, and spring academic semesters. A two week summer leadership retreat is also included.
Leadership Development
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Our Youth Leaders lead their younger peers in various soccer themed activities and games throughout the school year. Woven into every activity and game is an opening and closing prayer, "Character Word of the Day" such as respect, responsibility, commitment, integrity, self-control, and teamwork, and brief moments of pause and reflection. The Youth Leaders also practice their organizational skills by assigning stations to their peers, laying out equipment, and keeping time. The Ignite leader also engages in weekly faith and leadership development workshops during Thursday team meetings.
Workforce Development
IGNITING OUR YOUTH TO CHANGE THE WORLD!
Ignite Youth Leadership Program also incorporates workforce preparation. We do this through a combination of classroom workshops such as financial literacy, resume building, and social etiquette. We conduct mock interviews with real world professionals while providing guidance and feedback to our leaders. We also expose the youth leaders to variety of guest speakers and field trips, bringing to light the numerous career and college pathways available to them. Ignite Leaders walk away more equipped to take their next steps after high school and step forward into a successful future!
Faith and Reflection
PROCESSING GOD'S LOVE
IYLP is also a safe space where leaders engage in honest and healthy conversations around faith and the love of Jesus Christ. We do this through experiential learning (learning through experience), reflection, team building activities, and faith filled media that meets them where they are at digitally. Ignite YLP is a safe place where they are cared for and mentored by loving adults as well as respected by their peers on a regular basis.
Serving the Community
GIVING BACK...
On top of the character soccer classes, we added some new elements to our community service outcomes. The Ignite Leaders participate with our partners on a variety of community holiday celebrations. To name a few, the Suprise Santa Project. Securing donations, wrapping, and handing out Christmas Gifts and Reefs to local neighborhood kids and families. And "Trunk or Treat," a harvest day filled with the Minions movie theme, handing out candy, and playing fun and safe games with kids. And for the second year in a row, the Leaders read to elementary school kids during Dr. Suess week.
Contact us:
If you are interested in any of our programs and would like more information on how to get involved please send us an email with your contact information.
Show up - Engage - Ignite!
