YouLEAD 2024

Providing 15 young people from Ukraine with the opportunity to spend 4 weeks in Minnesota, USA, to learn and grow as future leaders.

YouLEAD stands for Youth Leadership Engagement and Development Program. YouLEAD 2024 is a one month leadership program for Ukrainian youth in the United States.

The purpose of YouLEAD 2024 is to provide 15 Ukrainian teens with the opportunity to participate in development activities and continue the tradition of sharing views, culture, and learning from one another as we all continue to grow as individuals and leaders.

The 2024 program has a particular focus on:

  • Developing future leaders to help replace those lost to war

  • Developing the skills to help post-war Ukraine redevelop and heal

  • Providing a mental health break for youth experiencing war trauma

Ukrainian youth participants will be engaged in intensive learning, building relationships and creating partnerships with Minnesota youth and community organizations, Minnesota local governments and schools, and the Minnesota Ukrainian community.

Participation in the program is free.

We need your help to pay for their travel, food, and program activities. All program organizers and facilitators are volunteers.

Donate Now

Reflections from former YouLEAD participants

  • “These were unforgettable weeks... This trip gave me strength, inspiration, and a new impulse to realize my dreams.”

    Olesya Kitchuk (18 years old)

  • “Now, having returned to Ukraine, we will be able to successfully implement our projects and develop our country.”

    Hanna Arnaut (16 years old)

  • “I think that, as for everyone who was on this trip, all the memories that we got were excellent and unforgettable."

    Zuev Oleksiy (14 years old)

  • “The trip opened me to the world in new ways. I saw how people live on another continent and felt their lives on my own."

    Kateryna Muzyka (15 years old)

Why Support YouLEAD?

We believe in the power of young people to change the world.

We give them the tools to solve problems, facilitate productive conversations and inspire action. We recognize and support them as we look to the future of community development and global governance.

The YouLEAD program has been developing youth leaders in Minnesota and Ukraine for over 12 years. The sister city relationship between Hopkins, MN, and Boryspil, Ukraine, came from this work.

YouLEAD 2024 will create opportunities for US youth groups, students, educational institutions, local businesses, government officials and nonprofits to learn from one another through an exchange of ideas, strategic dialogue and active problem solving.

How You Can Help

Support this cause by donating, volunteering, or acting as a host family! Reach out to gsynergygroup@gmail.com and we’d be happy to provide more information on YouLEAD 2024 and how you can get involved.

DONATE

It costs $3,000 for each participant, and all donations go towards the cost of travel, food, and activities. The program is run and facilitated 100% by volunteers. We do not charge money for staff salaries or office rent. Every $1 raised for this program will cover participant expenses.

VOLUNTEER OR HOST

It takes a community to make YouLEAD a success. From volunteers that facilitate events to the amazing families that open up their homes for 4 weeks, we couldn’t do it without you. If you live in the Twin Cities area and would like to take part, please get in touch!

Where are they now?

YouLEAD 2023 participants share their thoughts on the program and how it has inspired and changed them now they are back in Ukraine.

“I now understand why Irina Fursman said that a completely different child would come home to me after this trip. Of course, the children's worldview expanded, their confidence increased, they saw a different reality, they met interesting people, they visited a variety of places (such as the Federal Bank), new dreams and desires appeared in them. I am infinitely grateful to everyone who took part in the organization.
You are incredible.” 

— Parent of a Ukrainian YouLEAD 2023 participant

In Government and Public Service Week, we learn about different leadership styles and ways to navigate differences in diverse teams.

 

It’s not all work! YouLEAD students also learn about US culture. Activities include visits to schools, museums, and… the state fair!