Teens and young leaders
Build skills. Serve. Stand out for college.
Our free leadership programs for teens help high school students lead real projects and find their voice.
Parents get a safe, supervised program at no cost.
Open to every level. No experience needed.
Free for high schoolersAcross Northern Virginia
What teens do
Real projects. Real responsibility.
Here is what happens inside our leadership programs for teens.
What do leadership programs for teens include?
Our leadership programs for teens include skill workshops, real community service projects and a trained mentor. Teens practice public speaking, teamwork and planning while they lead something that matters. It runs during the school year, with a deeper summer track.
Public speaking
From short talks to leading a group discussion.
Teamwork
Finishing real projects with people who think differently.
Planning and goals
Breaking big goals into steps and following through.
Service projects
Leading work that helps real people nearby.
Mentors
A mentor changes the path. Ours are free.
Every teen in our program gets a trained adult in their corner.
Young people facing an opportunity gap who have a mentor are 55 percent more likely to enroll in college, according to MENTOR.
Meet our youth mentorship program.
Who we help
Which one of these sounds like you?
Teens and parents ask us the same things about leadership programs for teens. Here is what we say.
"I've never led anything."
Perfect. Teens start where they are and grow from there.
"I need service hours."
You will earn them on projects you can actually talk about.
"My parents worry about cost."
The program is free for high school students in Northern Virginia.
"I'm too busy."
The school year track fits around classes. Summer goes deeper.
How to join
Sign up in minutes. Grow all year.
Joining our leadership programs for teens takes one short form.
A parent registers
One short form for parent and teen.
We confirm the spot
We send a welcome with dates and details.
Meet your mentor
A trained adult who guides and encourages.
Lead a project
Workshops and service that build real skills.
Thinking about college?
In a 2018 survey of 264 admissions officers, 58 percent said community service helps a student's chances, according to Poets and Quants. See our college application help.
Common questions
What teens and parents ask before joining.
Does it cost anything?
No. Our leadership programs for teens are free for high school students in Northern Virginia.
Does my teen need experience?
No. Our leadership programs for teens welcome every level, from first timers to club presidents.
How much time does it take?
The school year track fits around classes, with a deeper option over the summer. Contact us for the schedule.
Is it safe and supervised?
Yes. Everyone in our leadership programs for teens works with trained mentors in a safe, supportive setting.
What ages can join?
The program is built for high school students. Reach out if you have a question about your teen's age.
Will it help with college applications?
Yes. Teens finish with real responsibility and a story to tell. See our college application help.
Teens and young leaders
Make this year count. Register for the free program.
Free for high school students in Northern Virginia.
About EAESSI
Evelyn Ancrum Education Support Systems (EAESSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Spotsylvania, Virginia. We help uninsured women get breast screenings, help Virginia students pay for college and help teens grow as leaders.
Sources on this page
Figures on this page come from these sources: