SPARKing Change Youth Leadership Program
The SPARKING Change Youth Leadership Program is an intensive and immersive leadership program experience that gathers a group of young change-makers in our community who want to create positive, sustainable change. Throughout the program, the #SPARKINGChangeInterns learn about the power of their mind and resilience, gain hands-on experience working with at-risk youth, and learn how to facilitate through our SPARK Mentoring Programs. All of our interns are from the Tampa Bay area and have a strong passion for varying mental health issues in our community. Having them on our team has been a beautiful experience, and we love sharing the SPARK with a group of young people eager to give back to the community in so many ways.
What the Program Includes
Throughout the leadership program the participants gain vital mental health education, become mentors to our at-risk youth population, and work with the SPARK team at our county jails, detention centers, youth rehabilitation/residential facilities and Selah Freedom’s safe house for sex-trafficking survivors.
Because of our amazing donors and supporters, this internship includes:
Monthly mental health professional development days to explore the mind and uncover their potential and resilience.
Virtual learning days with change-makers from all over the world!
Opportunities to speak at and attend mental health and resiliency conferences.
Contribution to our weekly #FindYourSPARK podcast through content creation, guest features, or behind-the-scenes support.
Assistance with daily office operations, gaining hands-on experience in a dynamic nonprofit environment.
Developing and launching a personal community initiative designed to make a meaningful local impact.
Ability to participate in community events that support and collaborate with other nonprofits in our area.
Most importantly, our interns learn about their amazing SPARK inside that can never be broken, damaged or stolen and is always available to them. With this knowledge, they are able to discover their creative potential and have some incredible insights about themselves and our community!
Monthly Mental Health Professional Development Days
Our Monthly Mental Health Days, a vital part of our SPARKING Change Leadership Program. These professional development sessions offer hands-on training, virtual learning opportunities with global change-makers, and participation in mental health and resilience conferences. Interns gain invaluable insights into their own mental well-being, develop community initiatives, and contribute to our weekly podcast. Discover your inner SPARK and make a lasting impact on your community.
National Mentoring Day
The SPARKING Change Interns also participated in the #NationalMentoringDay, sharing why mentoring is important to them. Since our interns have had this opportunity to shadow our SPARK Mentors delivering SPARK Programs throughout the community, below are some pictures our interns captured expressing their personal thoughts about why they are mentors.
Community Volunteer Days
Through personal insights and discoveries during our monthly mental health professional development days, cohorts become inspired and excited to create their own community projects geared toward changes and help they want to create in their own backyards.
