Click here to read daily updates from ongoing YEP summit in D.C.

Appalachia youth are joining more than 100 young people nationwide in training designed to develop their leadership potential. The training, which continues through June, includes youth from World Vision’s field sites across the U.S.

Each year, young people are invited to partner in World Vision’s Youth Empowerment Project to learn to become active citizens who speak out and influence change in their communities. The Youth Empowerment Project is World Vision’s signature project in the U.S., unleashing local young people’s wisdom, creativity, and passion to lead positive change in their communities.

The Youth Empowerment Training consists of 80 hours of focused study and interaction that fosters transformational leadership development, civic engagement, and advocacy skills. This training is designed to empower high-risk young people from some of America’s neighborhoods in greatest need. These youth learn about local and national issues that negatively impact the lives of children and youth, and develop an advocacy platform and strategy to address those issues.

Trained youth also participate in the Youth Empowerment Summit in July. The four-day summit in Washington, D.C., offers the young people an opportunity to experience civic engagement firsthand. At the summit, youth present their proposals for addressing community needs to their respective federal lawmakers.

Through the Youth Empowerment Project, youth are learning to become key participants in making their communities safe, nurturing places for all residents. After returning home following the summit, youth are trained to lead advocacy workshops for middle schoolers and elementary children, sharing their knowledge and experience with those who could be the community’s future youth leaders.