Lead4Change Student Leadership Program Celebrates Eighth Year

Lead4Change is a free program which provides leadership lessons that align with 21st century skills and satisfy Literacy, Social Emotional Learning and Project-Based Learning Standards. Students apply these lessons as they form teams, brainstorm and create programs to address a specific need on a local or global scale.

“The Lead4Change program teaches students how to lead and empowers them to take action in their own communities,” said David Novak. “I’m continually inspired by the big goals set by student teams, and how often they exceed their own expectations.”

The program has experienced tremendous success since its launch in 2012, with more than 8,500 educators integrating the lessons into their curriculum. In recognition of the program’s growth, Lead4Change recently rebranded from Lead2Feed, reflecting the program’s expansion beyond its initial focus on hunger to address additional issues such as mental health, elder care and challenges faced by at-risk youth.

“The success of Lead4Change is a direct testament to the incredible passion with which students and educators have embraced our curriculum and message,” said Diane Barrett, Executive Director of the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning, Inc. “As another school year begins, we are excited to observe how students learn to collaborate, plan, and complete good works in their communities.”

To qualify as a Lead4Change Certified School, schools must participate in Lead4Change for two or more years with a minimum of two teachers registered. Schools must also submit a leadership project in the Lead4Change Challenge each year. The following participants have earned the Lead4Change Certified School honor in recognition for their inspiring community service work and impressive demonstrations of leadership:

• Babb Middle School, Forest Park, GA
• Bagdad Unified School District, Bagdad, AZ
• Basha High School, Chandler, AZ
• Bridger High School, Bridger, MT
• Chandler High School, Chandler, AZ
• Coral Reef High School, Miami, FL
• Design and Architecture Senior High, Miami, FL
• Eisenhower High School, Lawton, OK
• George Washington High School, Chicago, IL
• Grassfield High School, Chesapeake, VA
• Jay M Robinson Middle School, Charlotte, NC
• Menchville High School, Newport News, VA
• Mercy Academy, Louisville, KY
• Mohave High School, Bullhead City, AZ
• Moody Middle School, Henrico, VA
• Mountain Ridge High School, Glendale, AZ
• Odessa High School, Odessa, WA
• Ogden High School, Ogden, UT
• Port Chester Middle School, Port Chester, NY
• Raytown High School, Raytown, MO
• Spring Lake Park High School, Spring Lake Park, MN
• Stockbridge High School, Stockbridge, GA
• Toombs County High School, Lyons, GA
• Winton Woods Middle School, Cincinnati, OH
• Bushland High School, Amarillo, TX
• Centennial High School, Gresham, OR
• Centerville High School, Centerville, TX
• Forest Park High School, Woodbridge, VA
• Grants High School, Grants, NM
• Harmony Science Academy, Beaumont, TX
• Liberty Middle School Covington, Covington, GA
• Pelham High School, Pelham, GA
• Woodrow Wilson High School, Portsmouth, VA

Educators can register their student teams for the Lead4Change Student Leadership Program and enter the Lead4Change Challenge online at www.lead4change.org. By working through the Lead4Change lessons, students will design and implement a service project, partner with a non-profit organization and compete for a chance to win up to $10,000 for their charity or school. This year, there will be two deadlines for student groups to participate in the Lead4Change Challenge, February 7 and May 15. Complete rules and details on the Lead4Change Challenge are available at: https://www.lead4change.org/how-to-participate/project-submission-rules/. To learn more, watch the action, and get involved, follow Lead4Change:

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About Lead4Change

The Lead4Change Student Leadership Program was created by the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning and the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation to encourage middle and high school students to hone leadership skills by completing a service project around a community need involving a public nonprofit.

About Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning

The Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning was established in 2003 as a public charity. The Foundation supports and builds alliances that enhance innovative, instructional programs and community outreach by providing the resources to promote new opportunities and participation. FILL is a supporting foundation to the International Literacy Association. The foundation welcomes participation in efforts to engage, enlighten and inspire today’s students and educators by opening their classrooms to the real world. Find out more at www.fillprograms.org.

About Lift a Life Foundation

The Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation was established in 1999 by David and Wendy Novak. The mission of the Lift a Life Foundation is to lead the way with innovative programs that help people in need and develop future leaders. The Foundation focuses on creative partnerships that make a lasting impact in the primary areas of hunger relief, early childhood education, juvenile diabetes, military family support and leadership development. Since Lift a Life Foundation began, it has helped thousands of people in need through grants and programming support. For more information on Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation, go to www.liftalifefoundation.org.