Youth
The Meetinghouse is dedicated to working with leaders of all ages. We offer three programs for Middle and High School students to support them as they discover their strengths, identify their passions, and cultivate leadership skills that will guide their decisions:
- Youth Leadership Initiative (funded by the State of Connecticut)
The Youth Leadership Initiative is a three-week immersive program for Middle Schoolers from Danbury and Ridgefield. This program is designed for students passionate about making a difference in both local and global communities. Drawing from the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, the initiative emphasizes leadership across three dimensions: individual, group, and societal. Through processes from the Presencing Institute and Appreciative Inquiry, participants host a Community Summit or design a Social Action Project. Students develop skills in civic engagement and social change.
To learn more, download our brochure. - High School Senior Internships
Each spring, we welcome interns to work on projects related to the arts, communication, environment, and campus preservation. - Specials Projects
Our special projects empower students to lead meaningful community initiatives. Current efforts include:- Club Sandwich: led by a Ridgefield High School student, Club Sandwich provides monthly meals to the Dorothy Day House
- Restoring the Wetlands Paths: an ongoing project that expands our native plantings and provides trail maintenance
- Cookie Day: We all love when the Girl Scouts come to sell their cookies!
We focus on these key programs, but are always open to new opportunities to support emerging leaders. We also encourage partnerships with school clubs, scout troops, and community-led initiatives.
Upcoming Youth Events
YOUTH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE
Program Overview
The Meetinghouse Youth Leadership Initiative is a three-week-long immersive experience for middle schoolers from Danbury and Ridgefield who are passionate about making a difference in the world and having an impact on local and global issues. Drawing from the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, the program approaches leadership across three dimensions: individual, group, and societal. Using processes drawn from the MIT Presencing Institute and Appreciative Inquiry, the students will host a Community Summit or design a Social Action Project. Through this journey, students will learn to foster mutual understanding, respect, and civic engagement as they develop the skills and knowledge to enact social change on a community level.
Program Highlights
- Hands-on skills and foundational knowledge for sustainable, justice-oriented citizenship
- Direct opportunities to engage with local community government, organizations, and purpose-driven businesses
- Inspiration and preparation to bring change and be active, engaged civic leaders
- Host a Community Summit or lead a social action project to address a pressing social issue
- Leadership development and networking opportunities
- A community of peers who value civic engagement and community leadership
Program Outcomes
Over the three-week deep dive, students will:
- Engage in leadership development and networking opportunities
- Develop and implement a community summit to address a pressing issue identified by the youth
- Learn from field trips
Program Design
Week One
This program will combine study of leadership theory, fieldwork, skill-building, and opportunities for reflection with deeper exploration of civic life. The first week will introduce a social change framework and explore social challenges and opportunities across Danbury, Ridgefield and Fairfield County.
Week Two
In week two, students will apply what they are learning as they engage the 7Cs of the social leadership model. Related community organization visits, community field trips, guest speakers and interactive discussions will accompany study of social action leadership to provide students with a wide range of exposure to the many ways they can work together to create impact. Through the Appreciative Inquiry process, they will define, discover, dream, and begin to design a Community Summit around a topic of their choice.
Week Three
The students will complete the design and host a community summit or implement their social action project! There will be an after-action-review to capture learnings and follow up commitments. The initiative will close with a celebration!
Closing Ceremony
The initiative will close with students sharing their Community Summit Learnings and celebrate all that they’ve accomplished over the two weeks with community leaders and their families. Parents and/or guardians will be invited to attend the Closing Ceremony. The Ceremony will occur on the evening of the program.
Draft Schedule
Download Our Draft ScheduleThe Team
The Meetinghouse
- Resident for Youth Leadership
- Heather Cochrane, Environmentalist in Residence
- Claire Walker Moffit, Wellness Resident
- Debbie Rundlett, Director, Formation & Change Leadership
- Learn more about our team
Leadership Voices from the Field
- Anita Howard, Executive Coach, Researcher, Adjunct Professor, CWRU
- Gamelihle Sibanda, Chief Technical Advisor, United Nations, South Africa (environment)
- Damian Costello, Innovation & Design, Ireland (design & innovation)
Application Process
(due 5/15; announcement of cohort by 5/30)
- Short statement of interest (500 words max)
- What are your three favorite things about yourself?
- When you think about leadership, what comes to mind?
- What made you apply to this leadership program?
- What would you like to accomplish during your time in this leadership program?
- What is an accomplishment you are most proud of?
- What questions do you have for us?
- Letter of recommendation (from a teacher, family friends, employer, someone who knows you well)
- In-person or Virtual Interview
Please send your completed application (including letter of recommendation) to Connect@Meetinghouse.life.
