Mentorship → Empowerment → Leadership

 

OVERVIEW

KidUnity is excited to launch ULEAD, a young women’s leadership program that will provide exciting opportunities for eighth grade girls to engage with prominent women about contemporary gender issues. ULEAD workshops will introduce students to diverse leadership styles. Our mentorship and “council”-based workshop model will teach students self-advocacy, public speaking, and problem solving skills. Students will play a key role in identifying the issues for their workshops and the women leaders who will host their discussions. ULEAD will set high standards for its participants and will provide fun and inspiring experiences and opportunities.

        

ULEAD PROGRAM DETAILS

ULEAD sessions will be grounded in interactive meetings with prominent community leaders. Students will learn first-hand about these leaders’ industries, areas of expertise, and civic and philanthropic commitments.   

 

ULEAD meetings will be facilitated by a team of experienced teachers who will create a supportive and safe environment where students can share openly and listen with intent. As the program evolves, students will take increasingly larger roles in directing conversations, agendas, and potential projects.

 

The program will commence with a fun team-building session.

 

SAMPLE WORKSHOP SESSION
 

1. “Council” - ULEAD kicks off each session in with a team-building confidential conversation facilitated by the KidUnity group leaders.  While enjoying a light dinner, students will discuss a specific social or educational challenge, a topic related to leadership, or issues in the news related to contemporary gender issues.
    

2. Mentorship - ULEAD will meet with a female executive or community leader - sometimes at her place of work - who will discuss her career path. These accomplished leaders will be from the for-profit, non-profit or public service sectors (examples may include educators, business executives, media professionals, community leaders, and elected officials).  Participants will have an opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the leader’s workplace and learn about that leader’s industry or business.

 

1. Conversation about Gender & Leadership:  The centerpiece of each ULEAD meeting will focus on leadership and issues related to gender.  Our host will highlight personal experiences and share stories about how she has navigated gender issues in her educational and professional career. Issues to be explored may include:  

 

• The “Google Memo” and the lack of women in technology.

• President Trump’s ending of data collection regarding equal pay for women.

• Why has Teen Vogue shifted its focus to social issues, politics, activism and what is the significance of this?

• Young women’s use of social media and it’s impact on gender identity and psycho-social development.

• Fake news and bias in the media.

• The lack of affordable and competent child care for working moms

• Violence against women

• Women entrepreneurs,

• Women, gender issues, and the fashion industry

• Women leaders in human rights

• Generational perspectives on women’s status and issues

 

1. Debrief: Meetings will wrap-up with a group reflection on the session.  ULEAD teachers will relate each session’s conversation to issues pertinent in middle and upper schools.
    

WHO CAN JOIN?

ULead seeks motivated and mature students in the eighth grade who want to help the community and develop a distinguished record of leadership. Each ULEAD cohort will have a maximum of 15 students.  For an application, please visit our website: www.kidunity.us.

 

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

ULead will meet approximately once a month, in the evening, during the school year on Sundays or Thursdays.   Program sessions will be:  

 

• Sunday, Oct 29, 12:30 - 4:00 - Kick-off featuring team-building
   

• Thursday, Nov 16, 5:30 - 7:15:  Hosted meeting at business/community leader’s offices

 

• Sunday, Dec 10, 4:00 - 6:15:  

 

• Thursday, Jan 11, 5:30 - 7:15:  Hosted meeting at business/community leader’s offices
   

• Sunday, Feb 11, 4:00 - 6:15:  
   

• Thursday, March 22, 5:30 - 7:15:   Hosted meeting at business/community leader’s offices.
   

• Sunday, April 15:  4:00 - 6:15
   

• Thursday, May 10, 5:30 - 7:15:  Hosted meeting at business/community leader’s offices
   

• Spring, 2018 (Date to be determined): Special group community project or leadership conference.

 

COST

$595 program fee. Scholarships are available.

 

APPLICATION

Please visit fill out the two page application form and submit by October 6, 2017.

 

ULEAD FACILITATORS

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• Theresa Dahlin, M.Ed, M.Inclusive Ed.- Ms. Dahlin is a Southern California native who has been teaching middle school students on the Westside for over 25 years. She spent nine years at The Archer School for Girls where she taught middle school history, was a middle school grade dean, and facilitated Archer’s school wide Community Service Program. She currently teaches at Park Century School where she continues to teach middle school history, as well as run student council and collaborate on service learning school wide. Theresa has two daughters and lives in Venice with her husband and service dog, Cleopatra.  
   

• Kari Morioka,”Mo”, Ed.M. Throughout Mo’s 20 years of teaching, she has helped students learn to self-advocate, self-reflect and tune into their own inner guidance systems.  She was the Human Development Specialist at The Archer School for Girls as well as the 7th Grade Dean.  Mo currently teaches at New Roads.  

 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

• Emily Doyle -  Emily was born in Boston, Massachusetts, is a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, CT and received her Masters in Humanities from New York University.  Formerly Head of Development and Producer for TurtleBack Productions, she currently serves as consultant to European Film Group.  Emily is the mother to two daughters and son.
   

• Jackie Hasset - Jackie has a B.A. in Business and an MBA in Finance from the University of Kansas.  She worked in the commercial real estate industry in the areas of finance and acquisitions.  Jackie has two children and currently sits on the board of various charities.
   

• Marjan Lindus - A journalism and sociology major from Cal State Northridge and long time Angeleno, Marjan worked in advertising and marketing before starting a family.  In addition to raising two young children, Marjan spends time volunteering at Harvard-Westlake and Carlthorp School.  An avid reader of biographies, Marjan enjoys travel, cooking, and tennis.

 

• Janice Min - Janice was the former co-president/chief creative officer of The Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Media Group before becoming a media strategist for parent company, Eldridge Industries. She is married to Peter Sheehy and is the mother of their three children.

 

ABOUT KIDUNITY

KidUnity was formed by Peter Sheehy and David Snow in 2014 as a 501(c)3 to engage children, and their families, in civic leadership and community service.  Please visit our website, www.kidunity.us for more information.