Valley Christian senior Evan Western ’15 has been selected as one of 25 participants in the statewide Arizona Youth Leadership Forum (AZYLF).
The AZYLF is an innovative six day training program featuring career exploration and leadership development learning opportunities to assist each individual to maximize their potential. AZYLF provides educational programs on topics such as: positive self-concept, options after high school, the history of disability as a culture, and leadership responsibilities. Presenters who engage with the youth include disability community leaders, advocates, legislators, and numerous other professional role models who have disabilities.
Youth are assisted in developing a Personal Leadership Plan which includes specific action items as they return to their communities. Youth also become a voice for their peers as they serve to inform the Arizona State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) and are assigned a mentor for on-going support for one year after completing AZYLF.
The event successfully integrates youth who represent the diversity of both disability and culture of our state. The AZYLF will be held at the ASU Downtown Campus in Phoenix on June 21-26, 2015.