Building Future Leaders Program –B.F.L is the newest after school program supervised and coordinated by The City of Elizabeth Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Youth. B.F.L. raises community awareness and builds leadership skills. Members of the B.F.L. also have access to recreational facilities throughout the city. This program will bring together a diverse group of high school students to help build their community, gain leadership skills, receive mentoring, explore various art forms, plan and promote community events and volunteer in the community as well. Members will have access to various recreational facilities throughout The City of Elizabeth and also attend various plays, music, and dance performances and also participate in college tours.

Program Goals:
To foster leadership amongst Elizabeth High School students, strengthen morale; encourage overall life and social skills. In doing so, this will be a plateau to create a better environment where students from different ethnic backgrounds, race, religion and gender can bridge their differences and grow communally.

Who Can Participate:
City of Elizabeth Youth, ages 13-18, who are willing to commit to the after school, and summer program. Those who are accepted through the application process can participate. The group will be youth-driven with a youth elected Executive and professional staff skilled in mentoring, life skills, leadership training, writing, career development, health and wellness, spoken word, and the visual arts.

When:
The Program meets from Monday through Friday from 3pm to 7pm (occasionally special events will take place during weekend hours and late nights) at The YMCA of Eastern Union County 135 Madison Avenue in Elizabeth, NJ

What do you get?
• Meet a new group of friends interested in self empowerment
• Learn leadership skills
• Receive Mentoring
• Get volunteer hours for school
• Attend various City of Elizabeth and Tri state area cultural events, including plays, dance, and music performances
• Experience planning and promoting events for the community and Teens
• Develop skills in television, dance, spoken word, visual arts, and other art formsm