The Community Foundation of NCW — in collaboration with the Parent Leadership Training Institute, Our Valley Our Future, and Thriving Together NCW — is now accepting applications for the Leadership Institute of NCW, a free 20-session bilingual training program starting in the Fall of 2024 to teach personal leadership, public policy, and advocacy skills. The program will accept 25 participants to become the next generation of leaders and advocates for children, families, and communities. Application deadline is June 30^th.

The Leadership Institute of NCW utilizes the nationally renowned Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) framework and curriculum. PLTI is a family civic initiative of the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity. PLTI has partnered with parents and community leaders across the country for over 30 years. More than 10,000 people from throughout the United States have graduated from the PLTI program.

Participants benefit by acquiring tools that include:

• How local and state government works
• What public policy is
• Understanding budgets and resource allocations
• Ways to reach local, state, and elected leaders
• Voting and why it matters
• How to lead group discussions and gather ideas
• How to work within diversity in the community
• Ways to empower the community

Each leader will develop a community project to benefit their schools, neighborhoods, community, and families. Childcare and meals will be provided to attendees, along with a cash stipend upon successful completion of the program. Anyone (18+) with a desire to improve the lives of children, families, and communities is eligible. This includes parents, grandparents, foster parents, single people, young adults, veterans, and community members. Participants must be interested in learning within a diverse cohort of local leaders.

The Leadership Institute of NCW is being guided by a Civic Design Team, which is made up of representatives from the Wenatchee Valley Dispute Resolution Center, Wenatchee Valley College, North Central ESD, NCW Equity Alliance, Hispanic Business Council, the Community for the Advancement of Family Education (CAFÉ), Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council, The Wenatchee World, Wenatchee Pride, Parque Padrinos, Coalition for Health Improvement, Communities in Schools NCW, Rural People’s Voice, and Catholic Charities. Eight community members attended PLTI training sessions at Everett Community College in July 2023 and are now certified facilitators of the PLTI curriculum.

The Leadership Institute of NCW is a direct result of the Our Valley Our Future Action Plan’s ‘Diverse Leadership’ game changer, which was identified as a community priority. The game changer was crafted from input received from more than 2,000 residents, who saw the need for future leaders that better reflect the region’s demographics. Among the community benefits: deeper community participation, more robust ideas and perspectives, strengthening of democratic institutions, improved problem solving in local governments, and greater community resiliency.

While the course is provided at no cost, consistent participation and commitment to the full course is vital to the success of the program. Classes will be held at the Wenatchee Valley College campus and will begin in September 2024 through January 2025. Family dinner and childcare are provided, as well as a stipend upon graduation.

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