Hope Rising Leadership Academy

Hope Rising Leadership Academy is for High School Seniors who want to become leaders empowering themselves, their families, and their communities for a better future. The program runs September through June including two monthly required meetings (Dinner provided), a weekly phone call with a mentor and some required reading. At each month’s end, students who have completed all requirements will get to enjoy a free local experience (sabres game, Ziplining, etc). Students who complete the program will be eligible for a college scholarship.

As a part of this program, students will interact with local leaders, businesses, and community organizations. They will be taught interview skills, grow their knowledge and confidence, as well as develop networks to help them build an incredible future. *Students must be nominated. following nomination, students will complete an application to be received by August 31st.

Center for Imagination & Innovation

It is our dream to expand our reach in the City of Buffalo in a more grassroots, community based way. We are hoping for a center in the City that would allow us to:

• Create youth leadership development, mentorship and internship
• Utilize the arts: music, theater, dance, video, photography, and storytelling to encourage youth and build communities
• Provide encouragement/support to adoptive and foster families
• Support and build families though family nights and activities
• Create volunteer opportunities for Buffalo communities to benefit local people and organizations
• Partner with higher education institutions for higher education opportunities for those without access to them

By partnering with communities in Buffalo in these ways*, our goal is to empower them to strengthen and build the dreams they have for their families and communities. *These are some of the ideas we have, however we take an approach both locally and in Sierra Leone of getting to know the communities we are working in, listening to them and community leaders and then matching our skills and resources with what can best benefit the community.