Lead4Change Student Leadership Program is the nation’s leading and fastest growing free leadership program for grades 6-12. This program gives students the opportunity to learn outside the classroom by connecting with their community and putting their leadership skills in to action through project management, decision-making and teamwork while completing the Lead4Change Challenge.
In Career Technical Education, competency-based systems empower students to learn and practice real-life skills necessary for today’s global and digital world as defined by their Area of Study. This student leadership program directly aligns with concepts and skills taught in Career Technical Education courses by offering hands-on leadership lessons combined with the designing and implementation of student -led community service project. Students develop their leadership skills while addressing such issues as mental health, social injustice, homelessness and hunger.
Lead4Change: Ohio FCCLA Chapter Project Submission
Fairview High School: We decided that we wanted to work with elementary students and provide them with coping skills for mental health. We started by contacting the Fairview Elementary School Guidance Counselor. We told her our idea about meeting with first grade through third grade, having a breathing technique for each grade level as well as making a sensory object. She thought we had a great idea and was willing to set up times for us to meet up with the classes. We began thinking about some exercises we could do with the students. We brainstormed three different physical items: fidget toys, sensory bottles, and stress balls. We asked our adviser if we could do a bake sale to cover the cost of the items that we couldn’t get donated. Next we started working on a survey for the students. It was simple and short, asking straight forward questions to see if students thought they were getting the help and support that they were needing. We also thought it would be interesting to interview some of the aides and special education teachers that work with these students. Before it was time to present to the first graders we met with the Guidance Counselor again for help to make sure we knew what we were doing since we have never worked with elementary students before. On the February 22nd, we started our day at 9:00 with the first graders. They first took the survey, then we read them a short book explaining how our bodies react to simple feelings. After the book we helped them make their sensory bottles, before the class ended, we had them watch and practice the breathing techniques from the video. We did this three more times to complete the activity with all of the first graders. Once we finished up with the kids we sent the Guidance Counselor a short email with a couple follow up questions, mainly asking if she thinks we made a difference. She said that the teachers have reported that students are using their sensory bottles a lot and they have seen several students using the breathing techniques. We also set up dates in March to complete the rest of the presentation, with the same general concept (survey, book, sensory item, and breathing techniques) to the other classes – March 18th – 2nd graders and March 21st – 3rd graders.
We Help Two was founded on the belief that fundraising can be done in a way that benefits two causes. By hosting a funky sock fundraiser through We Help Two, organizations not only raise funds for their cause but also impact their local community through their sock donation program to local homeless shelters.
FCCLA® has partnered with We Help Two to support their Water for Africa program. This incredible program helps to fund sustainable water projects throughout Africa. These projects become a lifeline for the surrounding communities and reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses.
Consider these facts:
- Every 20 seconds a child dies from lack of access to clean water.
- Women and children in many communities spend up to 60 percent of each day walking to collect water.
- 4,500 children die each day due to unsafe water and a lack of basic sanitation.
Most of us don’t even think about it. We use 80 – 100 gallons of water every day. It’s just a part of life.
But for millions of children throughout the developing world, the possibility of drinking clean water is just a dream.
We started the sock campaign to provide clean drinking water for communities in Rwanda so children and their families can get the clean water they need to live healthy lives.
2023-2024 We Help Two Participants:
- Columbus Downtown High School Culinary
- Bellefontaine High School
- Eastland Career Center Culinary Arts
- Fairbanks High School
- Keystone High School
- Lucas Jr/Sr High School – Pioneer Career & Technology Center
- Ontario Middle School
- Tallmadge High School
- Upper Valley Career Center