ROBERT JAMISON MINISTRIES INC is proud to be one of the primary partners Inspire 1 to establish the Future Impact Leaders (FIL). This initiative seeks to engage young leaders in shaping the future of RJMs programs and services. FIL will play a crucial role in providing feedback, generating ideas, assisting with implementation, and evaluating the effectiveness of various initiatives.
Program Length
Although FIL will operate throughout the year, Inspire 1 will provide programming for the first 10-weeks during the summer. Participants will meet both in person and virtually and will complete a participant-selected, community- focused project at the end of program activities. Participants will be invited to become on-going members of RJM’s FIL, as well as to apply for a position on RJM’s Board. As on-going members, RJM will maintain contact with participants, provide assistance, support, resource referral and mentorship.
Target Group
Participants will comprise teens and young adults 15 - 24 years of age, with a maximum of 25 individuals. Preference will be given to those residing in the 40210, 40211 and 40212 zip codes.
Program Objectives
1. Empower Youth Voices: Enable young people to have a direct say in the development and improvement of
RJM’s programs and services.
2. Provide Unique Insights: Allow youth to offer their perspectives and insights, ensuring programs are relevant
and impactful from their point of view.
3. Develop Leadership Skills: Provide leadership training and real-world experience in program planning and
evaluation.
4. Promote Community Safety: Engage youth in efforts to prevent violence and foster a safer community.
5. Life Skills Development: Equip youth with essential life skills, such as communication, time management, conflict resolution, decision making, etc.
6. Board Experience: Offer an internship opportunity for one youth to serve on the RJM Board of Directors, providing insight into board member responsibilities and governance.
Key Activities
1. Feedback and Idea Generation: Youth team members will discuss and provide feedback on current programs
and propose new ideas.
2. Program Implementation: Assist with the execution of planned initiatives, ensuring they align with the needs
and desires of the youth community.
3. Evaluation: Participate in evaluating the success of programs, offering suggestions for improvements.
4. Leadership Training: Inspire 1 will provide comprehensive leadership training to all team members, equipping
them with essential skills.
5. Life Skills Workshops: Inspire 1 will conduct workshops on crucial life skills, including those listed above.
6. Stipend: Participants will receive a stipend in recognition of their contributions and time.
Empowered Potential provides comprehensive life skills training and leadership development that addresses the root causes of violence, by equipping young people with essential, relatable, training that prepares them to effectively and successfully engage and interact within their communities. By empowering young people with the skills and
confidence to make positive choices and resolve conflicts peacefully, we aim to prevent violence before it occurs.
Many young people face numerous challenges as they navigate adolescence (academic pressures, peer relationships, family dynamics, personal identity development, etc.). Without support systems, socially and emotionally, they may experience increased stress levels, anxiety, and depression, which makes them more susceptible to negative peer
influences, risky behaviors, and involvement in delinquent activities. Without support and guidance, these challenges can lead to poor choices, academic underachievement, behavioral issues, low self-esteem and disengagement, all of
which can have lifelong consequences.
Empowered Potential will collaborate with individuals, businesses and organizations to assist with training activities.
Field trips are also an important aspect of programming to enhance experiential learning opportunities relative to
presented material. For increased emphasis of training material, application of skills to real life situations, as well as
reflection on the material learned, will be critical functions of programming.
Programming directly addresses violence prevention as it is structured around development of skills that are research-
supported to prevent violence. By empowering young people with essential life skills and leadership development,
Empowered Potential fosters positive choices and provides the best opportunity for them to realize their fullest
potential.
Expected Outcomes
1. Enhanced youth engagement in RJM's program planning and decision-making processes.
2. Development of practical leadership skills among youth participants.
3. Improved program effectiveness and relevance to the community.
4. Greater youth involvement in violence prevention efforts.
5. Inclusion of youth perspectives, ensuring programs are tailored to meet their needs and aspirations.
6. Better-equipped youth with essential life skills for personal and professional growth and success.
Program Components
Morning Meetings will include attendance recordation and an overview of the day’s activities.
Group Activities will include ice breaker/team building activities to foster trust, improve communication, boost
confidence and promote teamwork.
Curriculum/Daily Lessons will cover essential life skills and leadership development training. Alongside relative
curriculum, participants will attend field trips, off-site activities, and engagement with community professionals to
enrich the learning experience.
Meals will be provided to each participant at each in person meeting.
Career Spotlight will introduce participants to a variety of career opportunities. Professionals from the community
will be invited to provide information about their career and share their unique journey, as well as answer questions
from participants.
Afternoon Activities will cover essential life skills and leadership development training. Alongside relative
curriculum, participants will attend field trips, off-site activities, and engagement with community professionals to
enrich the learning experience.
Afternoon Meetings will include an overview of the day’s activities, a review of any take home tasks, as well as
assessment and journal prompting.
Assessments will be completed after each session to provide feedback from participants to assist with evaluation of
program success and effectiveness.
Journaling will provide space for individuals to respond to a prompt that will encourage self-reflection, creativity, and
personal growth.
A Group Project will be completed, whereby participants will collaborate on a hands-on, participant-selected,
community-focused activity that will employ skills learned.
