Inaugural Class Project: The Building Leaders Program

The inaugural Class of 2009 chose to create a program geared towards youth called "Building Leaders." Building Leaders is a local educational program designed to provide youth with opportunities they might not have otherwise. Approximately four events per year will be held from one of the four areas of opportunity: education, culture, sports or the arts.

On April 4, 2009, the first Building Leaders event was held at the Des Moines Playhouse. Thirty West Des Moines youth attended a production of Sideways Stories from Wayside School. The group was able to have lunch and get to know the cast and crew before the show. After the show, some of the kids had the opportunity to recreate a scene from the play including special effects, lights and sound. All of the children had the opportunity to participate in a curtain call on stage.

Fourth of July float

On July 3, 2009 the kids rode in a float at the annual West Des Moines Fourth of July parade. They participated in several construction days where the kids built, painted and assembled the float.

I-Cubs group

On Labor Day, 17 kids had the opportunity to watch an I-Cubs game from the skybox and enjoy many other activities:

We made a point of talking to the kids about why we hang with them and one young boy got it spot on when he said “to help us grow up to be better people”, or something very similar to that. Also, we had the kids clean up after themselves and we left the room spotless and we talked to the kids about respect and responsibility and how we made it easier on those who have to come in and clean up after us.

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