UthMpact Leaders in Our Community

 

The UthMpact Leadership Program is designed to help teens develop crucial leadership skills. Participants are nominated by their high school principals or community members. Once a month from September through March, UthMpact Leaders travel throughout Polk County to experience the inner workings of local volunteerism, business, government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. The teens also meet with community leaders to discuss challenges faced in the community and suggest proactive solutions.

UthMpact Class XIII began the school year in September with their first leadership day spent learning about local Volunteerism. Teens lent a hand at One More Child and Parker Street Ministries, organizations that serve struggling children, families, and neighbors in our community. During UthMpact’s Health & Wellness Leadership Day in October, youth leaders discussed the mental health issues facing today’s teens and planned upcoming coalition initiatives. After working out their minds, it was time to enjoy some fun physical activities, including a game of pickleball at Lakeland Parks & Recreation’s Kelly Rec Center. 

Taking Care of Business was the theme of UthMpact Class XIII’s December Leadership Day to positively impact families and neighborhoods in Lakeland. Teens toured The Dream Center, shared fellowship playing Bingo with residents of Noah’s Ark of Central Florida and lent a hand at kidsPACK assembling over 580 meals to serve homeless students and families in Polk County during the upcoming Winter Break. One of the highlights of the day was enjoying an ice cream treat during their tour of the Publix Super Market dairy plant!