Youth Leaders Program
Raising the Next Generation of ELITE Leaders Through Faith, Discipline, and Purpose
The Youth Leaders Program is a structured, multi-year leadership and development initiative designed to equip middle- and high school students (7th–10th grade) who are fatherless, motherless, orphaned, living in group homes, or impacted by an incarcerated parent with the character, discipline, and skills required to thrive academically, spiritually, and economically through their high school years and beyond.
Whether you are an educator, parent, community member, or organization, you can help expand access and impact.
A Lifelong Development Journey
Once enrolled, students enter a structured pathway that includes the following:
Weekly mentorship and tutoring lessons
Bi-weekly experiential learning excursions aligned with program themes
Leadership development workshops
Community service and civic engagement opportunities
Environmental stewardship projects that promote responsible and sustainable decision-making
Annual summer retreat and much more!
Each quarter culminates in a student-led initiative, where participants plan, execute, and measure real-world impact. These experiences build confidence, accountability, and the ability to lead with excellence.
Why This Program Matters
Many underserved children lack access to consistent mentorship, structured development, and exposure to opportunity. The Youth Leaders Program exists to:
Close opportunity gaps
Build confident, capable leaders
provide access to environments students may not otherwise experience
Create long-term pathways toward academic and economic success
The program is rooted in Global Work Trust’s Four E’s Framework.
Measurable Outcomes & Generational Impact
We maintain a strong focus on accountability and long-term outcomes by tracking:
Academic performance and school engagement
Leadership growth and behavioral development
Community service and outreach impact
College, trade, and career readiness
Every student who successfully completes the program through high school graduation will receive scholarship funding and/or financial support toward their chosen college, trade, or professional pathway.
How you can make a difference.
Your Questions Answered
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The Hampton Roads Youth Leaders Program is a nonprofit youth development initiative by Global Works Trust that serves students in Hampton, Newport News, and surrounding communities. The program provides mentorship, academic support, leadership development, and life skills training through a structured, multi-year-long experience designed to prepare youth for long-term success.
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The program is designed for middle and high school students (typically grades 7–10) who are navigating challenges such as foster care placement, family disruption, economic hardship, or lack of consistent mentorship. Students are selected through a structured onboarding process based on need, potential, and willingness to commit to the program.
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Global Works Trust’s Youth Leaders Program is built on a comprehensive 4Es framework—Essential Needs, Education, Environmental Stewardship, and Economic Empowerment. Rather than focusing on a single area, the program develops the whole student through mentorship, real-world experiences, and leadership opportunities, creating long-term transformation rather than short-term support.
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Students engage in a combination of weekly mentorship sessions, academic tutoring, leadership development workshops, bi-weekly experiential learning excursions, an annual summer retreat, and more. Each quarter also includes a student-led project that allows participants to apply what they’ve learned while building confidence, responsibility, and real-world skills.
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We track both short-term and long-term outcomes, including academic performance, attendance, behavioral growth, leadership development, and community engagement. We also monitor long-term indicators such as college readiness, career pathways, and scholarship opportunities to ensure lasting impact.
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Students can be referred through schools, community organizations, churches, or partner agencies. Families and organizations can also reach out directly to Global Works Trust to learn more about enrollment. In addition, community partners, volunteers, and donors are encouraged to get involved to help expand opportunities for youth across Hampton Roads.