What is JLD? JLD is a nonprofit program designed to provide high school sophomores with in-depth knowledge of the Durham community, and to develop leadership skills recognizing that the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Program goals include:
Developing leadership skills for youth in Durham
Increasing volunteerism among high school students
Promoting communication between students from different high schools in Durham
Increasing awareness of diverse community needs and resources
Exposing youth to various careers in Durham
Making the program available free of charge
What is JLD's history? Junior Leadership Durhambegan when 1999 Leadership Durham graduate, Robin Odom, decided that aprogram similar to Leadership Durham but targeting teens would be useful in developing youth leadership. The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Durham Program adopts projects each year for its members to participate in. Robin pitched her idea for JLD to the 2001 Leadership Durham class and it was adopted as one of the projects.Graduates from subsequent Leadership Durham classes have also taken on major roles in developing the program. 2003 saw JLD receive status as a 501c3 nonprofit, and the inagural JLD class began in September. The program has grown substantiallyeach year, and a strategic alliance with the 4-H Club was formed.
What do students get from the program? Students who participate in the 7 sessions of JLD will gain a fundamental understanding of the politics and workings of Durham, what the important issues are, and get to meet, ask questions of and interact with Durham's leadership. They will also have the opportunity to develop friendships across Durham with students in different high schools and from different socio-economic, ethnic and philosophical backgrounds. Building diverse relationships and learning about others will enrich each individual and promote growth. In order to receive the full benefit of the program students must prepare for sessions and actively participate. Students are required to complete a community service project as part of this program.
What does the program cost? It is free to participants.
How is JLD funded? JLD seeks support for operations
from corporate and community benefactors who recognize the importance
of growing youth leaders. The program costs approximately $10,000 per
year. To find out more about supporting JLD, click here to visit our support page.
