Our Youth Development Academy develops young community leaders who care and will leave their imprint of lasting change in their schools and communities.
I have attended the youth development academy (YDA) for the past three years. Through academy, I have learned to step out of my safety net of friends and talk with people that I have never met before. This experience allowed me to feel more confident with my self to make new friends when it was hard before. Now I’m 15 years old. I run cross country and play soccer and am taking AP classes. After High School, I plan on going to a four-year university, then to law school. Thank you for creating the YDA. I plan on coming back next year as a Junior Counselor. See you soon!
— CRISTIAN, 10th Grade, Harbor College Teacher Prep Academy.
Sharefest values making an investment into the lives of students who are at the greatest risk of not graduating from High School. Whether it be teen pregnancy, drugs and alcohol or simple lack of motivation that are causing these youth to struggle with their education, Sharefest desires to come alongside them and provide them with the tools needed to graduate and become successful leaders in their community. Sharefest provides innovative after school tutoring, life-coaching, lifetime fitness, job training and mentorship to equip these students for a life of success.
Every summer, at-risk youth from underserved middle schools come to California State University Dominguez Hills to participate in Sharefest’s Summer Youth Development Academy (YDA). For four weeks, students participate in sports, theatre, art, team building, games, leadership exercises, and creative writing and service learning. YDA’s curriculum incorporates topics such as health, nutrition, character building, healthy decision making, self awareness and leadership. We strive to teach students how they can take control of their lives and change the world around them. By the end of the four weeks, students will have learned how to dream big, play hard, relate to one another and realize the enormous impact they can have on their neighborhoods. 2012 Summer Application Process Begins April 2012. Please check back here for updated information.
