San Juan Island Prevention Coalition’s (SJIPC) Youth Leadership Initiative is a fortunate partner with United Way. United Way supports SJIPC to help youth acquire skills needed to navigate our globally competitive information age and to be leaders in the 21st Century.

Our world is changing rapidly in many ways- through technological advances, significant climate change impacts, larger economic and cultural crisis, to name a few. Our youth need to be more adaptable and intuitive than ever. Learning and Innovation skills are what separates students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in today’s world and those who are not. “Survival of the Fittest” in the 21st Century is now defined as “being most adaptable to change.”

United Way support the SJIPC Youth Leadership Initiative which provides creative, hands-on “Challenge” experiences for children in grades K-12. These activities help youth rediscover their own strengths and leadership skills and to identify and acknowledge the gifts of others. Challenge develops Learning and Innovation skills through team-building activities that focus on group connection. Objectives to instill essential skills of Communication, Creativity, Collaboration and Critical Thinking (Four C’s) are applied during problem-solving scenarios, based in metaphor, which assist youth in enhancing these attributes for success in today’s world. Yoga Calm, a unique component of “Challenge” offers children “Four C’s” tools to manage stress and develop school and home habits that improve their physical, emotional and mental well-being, and ultimately, enhance their academic achievement. Through these experiences, young and older Teen Leaders are taking charge of the direction of their lives and the health of our community climate!

Please consider making a donation to United Way today. Your gift will help support our precious youth and our community!

Alice Hibberd

Challenge Coordinator

SJI Prevention Coalition

San Juan Island