Painesville, OH (December 4, 2009) – The Lake County YMCA Outdoor Family Center has received a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation to establish the Arthur Holden Leadership Institute to honor Arthur Holden. This grant speaks to Arthur’s love for the YMCA and the City of Painesville, and to his commitment to providing education and enrichment programs to our youth. The Leadership Institute will help students attending Heritage Middle School in Painesville with leadership and character development through an exploration of math and science literacy in a multi-year experience.

 

The YMCA is honored to partner with Painesville City Schools, The Holden Arboretum, The James Porter Science Center, and Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District to expand the unique opportunities and activities the program will offer students.

 

On Wednesday, December 16, beginning at 11:30 AM, the Lake County YMCA Outdoor Family Center has planned a dedication ceremony to inaugurate the Center as the home of the Institute. Students from the first class of the Arthur Holden Leadership Institute will join with the partners and others to celebrate this meaningful event.

 

“We are honored to lead this collaboration to help students develop life-long leadership skills through experiential learning. The Outdoor Family Center in Perry makes the perfect setting with over 177 acres of woodlands and wetlands with access to the Grand River for environmental learning activities,” said Richard Bennett, CEO/Executive Director of the Lake County YMCA.

 

It all began when Keith Crawley, YMCA Outdoor Family Center Branch Executive Director and designated Administrator for the Leadership Institute, realized the growing need for programming in Northeast Ohio that offers enrichment in math and sciences to students while helping them to develop the skills necessary to be successful in those fields.

 

“Middle schoolers are at an age when leadership skills and character development could have the greatest impact. Students in general need to be able to access programming that will help to increase their likelihood for success in school and in life. The Institute presents an opportunity for these students to get ahead of the game by learning how to be good leaders—giving them skills to teach others how to take care of their community, planet and each other,” Crawley stated.

 

All YMCA programs have a strong emphasis on the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. For example, students will learn how to care for their community and environment by learning about conservation and by educating others on what they can do to make a difference. Students will also learn honesty and responsibility by keeping clear, thorough and accurate records of activities in their journals that will be graded by the instructor.

 

Approximately 35 Sixth Grade students were chosen for the first class of the Arthur Holden Leadership Institute based on recommendations from their teachers and their application for the program. The three-year program will give these students practical field experience through hands-on versus traditional learning activities. Students will meet twice a month; once for an afterschool learning session at Heritage Middle School to prepare, then for a field trip activity at various locations throughout Lake County.

 

Each year’s planned activities will center around one of three key environmental issues facing their community. As Sixth Graders, students will focus on water. As Seventh Graders, students will study energy while beginning to explore green spaces. In the final year, students will continue to study green spaces along with the development and implementation of a service project.

 

“As young students they are told to share and get along. Then as high schoolers, students are encouraged and expected to get involved in the community as young leaders. The development and implementation of a service project will help students transition into leaders and develop the needed 21^st Century skills of managing time, being able to monitor one’s own work, working towards a goal, and being able to be flexible and adaptable. Plus they will be able to illustrate a greater sense of positive values, character and leadership with each other and the community,” added Crawley.

 

Whether the students are in their classroom, at the YMCA Outdoor Family Center, on field trips or working on service projects, the Institute’s emphasis is on active participation, working with diverse people such as fellow students on a team or an expert in the field, communication and leadership, and improving math and science skills thereby increasing the likelihood of future academic success and effective problem solving abilities.

 

First established in 1866, the Lake County YMCA was originally known as the Painesville YMCA until it merged with the County YMCA in 1922. It was one of the earliest YMCA associations to include classes and activities for women. Today, the
Lake County YMCA annually serves approximately 50,000 members and program participants. The YMCA is committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.