The Volunteer Center of Bergen County is offering an innovative program that provides young people with the leadership skills necessary to play active roles in their local communities.

The Center’s Youth Leadership Institute is taking applications for a two-day workshop that will be presented on Thursday and Friday, November 10 and 11, each day from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.

The sessions will be held at the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, 64 Passaic Street in Hackensack.

The Youth Leadership workshop is open to students in grades 8, 9 or 10. Class is limited to 25 students.

Prospective participants are required to submit an application form, available by calling 201-489-9454 Ext. 118 or via email: demery@bergenvolunteers.org. Deadline for submission is November 1, 2011.

Upon acceptance to the program, the fee for each student is $50.00.

The mission of the Youth Leadership Institute is to provide youth with the encouragement, peer networks and leadership skills necessary for them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and begin a life-long journey of service.

Its interactive curriculum provides the caliber of leadership training typically available only to corporate executives and government leaders.

It features a challenging series of lessons and exercises on community needs analysis, goal setting, team building, project planning, decision-making and other leadership dynamics.

Debbie Emery, Director of Community Volunteer Services at the Volunteer Center and certified Youth Leadership trainer says, “Many public and private schools are looking at students’ community involvement; many have mandatory service requirements. Colleges are looking for prospective students to submit resumes of service activities.” She continues, “Today’s students want to make a difference in their own communities, and are willing to tackle complex social issues. By attending this weeklong workshop, students will learn how to plan for and develop service programs in their schools and youth organizations. Leadership, whether on a team, in a club setting, in the classroom, is important to develop in our children for their future and ours.”

For more information on the Youth Leadership Institute, call Debbie Emery at 201-489-9454 ext. 118, or email demery@bergenvolunteers.org.