Program Overview

Metro East Youth Leadership Weekend

The Metro East Youth Leadership Weekend is a program hosted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. This annual event takes place on the SIU campus and is designed for young African-American men from the Metro East area of St. Louis.

Program Focus

The program focuses on leadership development and community service, aiming to motivate and encourage youth to contribute to their communities and make good choices.

Program Activities

The retreat provides youth from eighth to twelfth grades with:

• Mentoring
• Networking
• Leadership workshops
• Introspection discussion groups The program also includes a weekend of motivational speakers and SIU campus activities/events to attend.

Outcome

Many young men who participated in the program have gone on to attend higher education institutions.