For 32 years, Leadership SBM’s Youth Leadership program has shaped the future leaders of our region challenging local high school students to become servant leaders in their families, schools, and community.
Youth Leadership SBM is a dynamic, community-based, student leadership program which offers the opportunity for participants to do a deep dive into their community using hands on and experiential activities. During this 10-month program, young people embark on a leadership journey connecting with themselves and their unique talents, exploring our community, and shaping the future through servant leadership. Participants visit learn the history of our community, discuss the challenges and strengths of our region and work together on impact projects where they learn and practice skills in project management and teamwork and make an impact in a needed area in the community.
To participate in youth leadership, students are nominated by a teacher, school administrator, counselor, or former Youth Leadership participant, and invited to apply. They must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the program year. Because students spend one full day out of the classroom each month, participants must be academically stable and have a commitment to leadership and impact in St. Joseph Country.
Once nominated, students fill out an application and participate in a short face to face interview with members of the Leadership SBM board of directors. A cohort of up to 40 young people will be chosen to form Youth Leadership Class 32.
We are currently in Cohort 32, Below you will find dates for the 2024-25 cohort.
We encourage you to fill out the application and apply today for our 33rd Cohort during the 2025-26 school year!
Program Highlights
- 9-month community immersion program with each program day focusing on a theme of importance to our community
- Full day team building retreat
- Monthly program days from 8:30-3:15
- Community as Classroom: program days held in locations across St. Joseph County
- 40-45 cohort members from all area high schools
- Learn about topics such as community history, the arts, mental and community health, our local environment and much more
- Complete a community improvement project in small groups
- Meet students from area high schools and home schools
| 2024 | |
| Sunday, Sep. 15 | Orientation (3:30-4:30pm) |
| Sunday, Sept. 22 | Opening Retreat (12:30pm-6:30pm) |
| Thursday, Oct. 3 | Arts in Our Community |
| Thursday, Nov. 14 | Servant Leadership & Community Plunge |
| Thursday, Dec. 5 | Challenge Leadership/Ted Wiese Training |
| 2025 | |
|
Sunday, Jan 19
Thursday, Jan 23
|
Project Reveal Day
Project Planning & Leadership Skills
|
| Thursday, Feb. 6 | EnvironMental Health |
| Thursday, Mar. 6 | Local Government & Civil Discourse |
| Thursday, Apr. 24 | Project Presentations |
| Thursday, May 1 |
Commencement Celebration |
*We are currently finalizing dates for next year’s cohort during the 2025-26 school year.*
Application Process
Students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors MAY BE nominated to apply to the Youth Leadership program.
* Please be aware that this DOES NOT mean a letter of recommendation, this is NOT a requirement for our Youth Program. A simple nomination email is just fine. *
All nominated students will be notified and invited to submit an application. Students may also apply directly using the application on this website. All students who apply will be invited to a 20-minute in-person interview.
Please, take your time when filling out the application. The answers to these questions will help determine your acceptance into the Youth Leadership program.
Students chosen as program participants will be notified in August 2025-26.
If you would like to nominate a student or for more information, contact Greyson Papp [email protected] or call 574-339-7193.
Tuition
Tuition for Youth Leadership is on a sliding scale based on family income.
Additional aid is available when necessary. No accepted student will be turned away for inability to pay, and we will work with you to find a payment plan that works for each family situation.
$1,500…………………………………..…………$100,000+
$1,200…………………………………..…………$80,000-99,999
$750……………………………………..…………$50,000-79,999
$450……………………………………..…………$30,000-49,999
$100…………………………………..…………under $30,000