Youth Leadership

A Hands-On Experience for Students Ready to Make an Impact

For more than three decades, 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 then be chosen to form our Youth Leadership Class.

We encourage you to fill out the application and apply today for the next cohort.

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 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
Community as Classroom program days held in locations across St. Joseph County
40–45 cohort members from all local 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 local high schools and home schools

2025
Sunday, Sep. 14	Orientation (3:30-4:30pm)
Sunday, Sept. 21	Opening Retreat (12:30pm-6:30pm)
Thursday, Oct. 9	History in Our Community
Thursday, Nov. 20	Servant Leadership & Community Plunge
Thursday, Dec. 4	Challenge Leadership/Ted Wiese Training

2026
Thursday, Jan. 22	Project Team/Skills Planning
Thursday, Feb. 5	Local Government, & Civil Discourse
Thursday, Mar. 5 Thursday, Mar. 26	Community Arts & Innovation Built in Makeup Day
Thursday, Apr. 30	Project Presentations
Thursday, May 14	Mental Health Matters

*Commencement Luncheon still being finalized, either May 20 or May 21*

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, email Program Director Jaime Murphy at jmurphy@leadershipsbm.org or call 574-314-9090.

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

Youth Leadership Application

Today's Date

First

Last

Contact Email

Gender Identity

Ethnicity

Street Address

City

State / Province / Region

ZIP / Postal Code

Name of Parents/Guardians

Parent/Guardian Home Phone #

Parent/Guardian Work Phone #

Parent/Guardian Email

Parent/Guardian Employer

Does your parent or guardian have the same address as you?

School Presently Attending

Your Grade in “current year”

How long have you been at this school?

What is your cumulative GPA?

1. Activity/Organization

2. Activity/Organization

3. Activity/Organization

4. Activity/Organization

List special awards, honors or recognition for academic, school or community-related activities you have received during high school.

Do you currently have a part-time job or volunteer position?

If yes, how many hours do you work per week?

Will your work hours be flexible to allow time for Youth Leadership?

List any part-time job experience, paid or volunteer, and briefly tell what was/is involved.

1. Using a few phrases or adjectives, describe yourself.

2. What do you consider the most rewarding experience you have had?

3. What prompted you to apply to Youth Leadership and what do you hope to gain if you are accepted?

4. What are three of the issues facing your community that are most important to you?

5. Identify a leader you respect and why.

6. Youth Leadership strives to select a class that is representative of our community and of its diverse perspectives. To help us achieve this goal, please explain what unique perspectives you bring to the class or how you will contribute to the diversity of the class.

Signature of Participant

Signature of Parent or Guardian