Club L.E.A.D. / Camp L.E.A.D. (Leadership Education And Development)
Leadership-development and educational program geared toward youth in 5th-8th grades – activities include academic support, workshops, games, leadership lessons, community service projects, field trips, and events. Club LEAD meets after school and Camp LEAD is our summer day camp.
For youth in 5th-8th grades. High school students may participate as student-leaders.
Both our after-school club and summer camp are open to all youth in 5th – 8th grades, but space in both programs is limited. Registration for the summer camp generally begins around Spring Break (late March-early April). Registration for the after-school club is on-going, as spots are available. For more information or to register, contact Becky (505-266-3590 ext. 111 or
youth@eastcentralministries.org)
Youth Writing Group
Weekly literacy group led by a local author
Mondays 4:30-5:30, during the school year
Recommended for students in 5th-8th grades
Gardening
ECM’s Growing Awareness Urban Farm provides opportunities for youth to get involved in gardening and learn about sustainability in a hands-on way. Activities include feeding chickens, collecting eggs, watering plants, transplanting seedlings, bee-keeping, harvesting honey, and yes – sometimes weeding!
For students in 9th-12th grades
Wednesdays 3:30-4:30pm, during the school year
Youth Social Justice Class
Weekly faith-based social justice classes for youth
Understanding various perspectives on why social injustices persist and how to effectively create change is critical to our work for community development and in our biblical mandate to do justice. We have also found that few opportunities exist for youth to learn extensively about Social Justice, so we started a class on it! In our class, young people learn about issues that affect our community and world, how our faith informs our response to these issues, and practical ways to work for positive change.
Recommended for youth in 6th-12th grades
Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm
In addition to our formal weekly class, we incorporate age-appropriate faith-based social justice teaching into our programs for younger students as well.
Teen Volunteer Opportunities
ECM offers many opportunities for youth who need to fill volunteer hours for school requirements or who simply wish to give back to the community. Our volunteer opportunities for youth include gardening in our Urban Farm, sorting donations at our thrift store, or helping provide childcare or tutoring for younger kids, and are at a variety of days and times (after school, evenings, Saturdays), so most youth can find something that fits their interests and schedule.
We also offer weekly group service projects for youth who would like to participate alongside other peers. Group service projects take place every Thursday from 3:30-5:30pm during the school year, or every Wednesday from 10:00am-12:00pm during the summer.
Volunteers may come once or may make a regular commitment, such as weekly, and must be at least 11 years old. Youth interested in volunteering at ECM should contact Becky (505-266-3590 ext. 111 or youth@eastcentralministries.org).
Younger children wishing to volunteer with their parents, or families wanting to serve together may
click HERE. We do not have a specific volunteer program for families, but may be able to arrange something depending on the family’s interests and availability. Youth groups or classes wishing to do service projects together as a large group may
click HERE.
Internships
Each semester and summer, we offer paid Internships for local high school and college students. Our goal is to inspire and equip young people for faith-based social justice, community development and non-profit work.
Read more about our internships for youth.
College and Vocational Mentoring
An experienced Vocational Counselor assists students with exploring post-high school work, training, and educational options, the college application process, financial aid, and/or ACT/SAT prep. We also facilitate college campus visits, and can connect students with apprenticeships, job-shadowing opportunities, college-prep workshops, scholarships, and other college or career-readiness activities.
For current 10th-12th grade students who are involved in ECM programs, or whose parents are involved.
Meetings with the Vocational Counselor may be arranged on an as-needed basis, but must be made at least 1 week in advance. Spanish interpretation is available upon request. For more information, please contact Becky (505-266-3590, ext. 111 or
youth@eastcentralministries.org).