This article was originally published in June 2014

Flagstaff County's support of the Co-operative Youth Leadership Program has created a significant impact

It is not unusual for former participants of the Co-operative Youth Leadership Program to reconnect, and return as staff. For Jennifer Fossen, not only did she return to the program, she connected her entire community!

[caption id="attachment_6241" align="alignleft" width="300"] Eden McDonald-Yale[/caption]

Fossen attended the Co-operative Youth Leadership program for two years as a teenager; which she describes as an “amazing experience”. Years later, as an economic development officer for Flagtaff County, Jennifer bumped into former ACCA Director of Co-operative Development Richard Stringham. They discussed the need for more leadership training opportunities for youth in rural communities:

“We soon realized that when kids have leadership skills they have the ability to be involved in their community, run businesses, and more. The Co-operative Youth Leadership Program seemed like the answer,” she recounted.

Not one to rest on her laurels, Jennifer proposed to her council they send four youth to the program on a trial basis. It was a tremendous success. The youth returned with newfound confidence and public speaking skills, which they put into action to explain to the council the benefits of the program. The council was very impressed, and the next year they sent ten youth to the program!

Jennifer not only received a vote of confidence from the county to send more youth, but for her to attend as a volunteer staff member.  When asked about her experience as a staff member she notes:

“I like to challenge the youth to get out of their shell. I don’t want to see them only watching from the sidelines, I want to get them involved”.

To this end, Jen has noticed that one of the main benefits of this program to the community has been an increase in youth involvement.  “Teachers have told me they see a positive change in their desire to lead at school, and seek out other leadership and educational opportunities. A lot of parents say ‘my kid came back with so much confidence!.” Many of the youth involved in the Co-operative Youth Leadership Program have not only become involved in programs such as Junior Achievers, but have brought their co-operative skills into these sessions as well.

One indicator of success for Flagstaff County is in the enthusiasm for participants to return as volunteer staff. One of the first youth to attend as a participant from the county was Eden McDonald-Yale.

My friend’s family had all attended the camp from the start, and were big supporters. At the time I was incredibly shy, and didn’t have the best outlook on things. The youth program made a huge difference for me. When I returned to my community I got involved in everything. I became the president of my school’s student union, volunteered at a long-term care facility, as well the Battle River playwright company.”

Eden McDonald-Yale

This year she returns for her third year as a volunteer staff member, and like Jen, has a strong passion for this role: “Being a staff member is amazing! By teaching about topics around leadership, co-operatives and more you are learning in a really important and intentional way.”

When asked about the impacts of the program in her own life as well as her community, Eden says “My school had an apathy problem. It was affecting me, I thought ‘nobody cares, why should I?’ At the Youth Program it’s different, it taught me that I can care and also make others care as well; that’s the leadership training right there. We need youth leaders, kids to come back that feel great and who want to change the world- especially in small towns where people are leaving for larger cities. The youth with leadership skills, and who know how to work together, the stuff not really taught in schools, will be able to take on the challenges in our community. The youth program is where they learn these things.”

When asked why she thinks youth should attend, Eden was quick to add:

“It provides a safe environment, surrounded by positive people who are supportive to give youth an opportunity to figure out who they want to be, without the pressure from home.”

Jennifer, Eden, and ten more youth from Flagstaff County will be attending the Co-operative Youth Leadership Program this summer. To learn more about sponsoring youth, or attending the program please visit: http://acca.coop/youth