Under the Health and Human Services Facet the Western Reserve (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated launched a new transformational program – Growing Leaders. Growing Leaders sprung from the seeds that were planted in the 2014-2015 Mound STEM School Urban Learning Garden program. Leveraging our strong partnership with the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Western Reserve (OH) Chapter committed to a two-year pilot with the Green Corps program for the Growing Leaders transformational program, which began October 2015.

Each month, the two-hour session highlights “soft skills” to help the participant matriculate from adolescence to adulthood. Also, each student received a Fitbit device to reinforce healthy lifestyle behaviors. The first cohort (2015-2016 academic year) included eight young women aged 15-18 – five of whom graduated from high school; the second cohort (2016-2017 academic year) includes three returning students plus five new students.

Due to the generous support from our sponsors and members, we have invested $40,000 in this two-year program. At the 2017 Central Area Conference, the Growing Leaders Transformational Program received the Health and Human Services Facet 1st place award.