Institute for Community Leadership

The Gratitude for Peace Tour Part 1

The Gratitude for Peace Tour Part 2

Practitioner Training

Welcome the National Nonviolence Leadership Corps (NNLC)! Thank you for your interest in this life transforming program.

Our NNLC summer program is an intensive residential program for students who have graduated from a Leadership Poetry Workshop (LPW) in their school or community. This is an intensive and fulfilling experience for every participant. Days begin early at 5:30 AM and are spent presenting Leadership Poetry Workshops, studying and practicing nonviolence, presenting at public games and events, and engaging in group activities geared to build community awareness. Days are full and fulfilling, usually ending by 10:00 PM. The Youth Leadership Institute is for youth interested in nonviolence as a way of life.

Life on the Road

The NNLC summer program is a traveling caravan of love, personal character transformation, and social change. The summer program visits summer school programs, community based youth serving organizations and tribal entities across the United States, having traveled to 17 states and Mexico in past summers. Transportation is provided by vans driven by adults in the program. All meals and sleeping arrangements are provided by ICL. While ICL provides transportation between program events, all youth are responsible for their own transportation to and from their initial and ending point of participation.

The summer program contracts with organizations and school districts to host Leadership Poetry Workshops with selected groups of youth from that area. These are the same 8-week workshops your child attended in their own school or community, however the summer workshops are presented once a day for the week of stay. Occasionally contracts require multiple workshops in a given area, allowing participation in several Leadership Poetry Workshops throughout the day.

To strengthen nonviolence knowledge through practice and study when not participating in Leadership Poetry Workshops, the group engages in their own group nonviolence workshops, with studies of Dr. King and Gandhi, including topics such as "Loving your enemies," "Coaching Peace with Justice," and "Turning Grief into Assets." Nonviolence is a way of life and in the summer program the goal is to create an environment where each participant's puts their nonviolence lessons in day to day practice through actions. All participants experience and engage in situations where nonviolence philosophies are put to their test. The summer program offers opportunities to further ones skills as a nonviolence practitioner.

Youth Coach

Scholarships are available to youth interested in a Youth coach position. A Youth Coach is a student familiar with the program, and capable of taking on the coaching position in the workshops as well as the residential setting. This position gives youth an opportunity to grasp what it takes to become a coach for the Institute for Community Leadership. A Youth Coach is prepared to coach LPW's solo, guide group discussions in vans and keep the group unified during transitions. All weeks must be attended if applying for this position.

NNLC Summer Program Frequently Asked Questions

How does my child apply?
To apply, contact your coach at the Institute for Community Leadership. The application process involves a written essay explaining one's aspirations in the field of nonviolence.

Must my child have taken the Leadership Poetry Workshop to apply?
Yes. ICL only accepts students who have participated in or experienced the LPW program. The summer program builds upon these lessons.

What should my child pack?
Packing should be kept simple. Due to limited space youth are limited to one bag. Laundry is once a week. Packing suggestions: three pair of pants; four T-shirts; three long sleeve shirts; three pair of shorts; one jacket. Please do not bring: electronic equipment including portable radios, Walkman, music-players, clothing with commercial logos on them.

How many adults are going to be traveling?
The Youth Leadership Institute travels with several adults at all times.

What if my child can't travel the entire summer?
If your child cannot travel the entire six weeks, a minimum of two consecutive weeks is required. ICL has found that two weeks is a minimum attendance to have a meaningful experience.

How do I meet with the staff of the summer program if I have questions or concerns?
Appointments are available for parents with questions concerning the summer program either in person or by telephone. The Institute for Community Leadership recommends a parent conference prior to acceptance.

How much will all of this cost?
Tuition for the summer program is $50.00 a week. This includes all costs of food, lodging, materials, and transportation within the week. It is the family's responsibility to arrange transportation to and from the Institute for Community Leadership office. Students should also bring spending money for miscellaneous expenditures such as laundry and snacks and prepaid phone cards.

Where are you going to sleep at night?
Students sleep in a variety of accommodations, often provided by local organizations, schools, and churches.

How many other kids are going?
Students from around the country apply to attend and the Institute can travel with a maximum of 30 students per week.

How long has the Summer Program been operating?
Since 1997 ICL has hosted the National Nonviolence Leadership Corps. Over the course of the past years the Summer Program has been to 17 states and Mexico presenting workshops and studying nonviolence.

What is a typical day like?
Days begin early at 5:30 AM and are spent presenting Leadership Poetry Workshops, studying and practicing nonviolence, presenting at public games, and engaging in group activities geared to build community awareness. Days usually end by 10:00 PM.

How do I reach a student? How will I reach my child in the case of an emergency?
Most communication between child and family is recommended through writing. Because of the unpredictable nature of the summer program being near a phone is not always guaranteed. In the case of an emergency one can contact a coach through the agency cell phone. Please note: the cell phone is for emergency calls only. Students wishing to call home will be directed to use a pay phone.

How does my child qualify?
The Youth Leadership Institute is open to graduates of the Leadership Poetry Workshop in their school or community. The Institute for Community Leadership does not accept students who have not participated in or experienced the make up of this program due to the high energy of the summer program. Students are required to have participated in games or workshops prior to the summer program. The summer program is an intensive residential program for students who have graduated from a LPW in their school or community.

How does my child meet up with the program?
When first joining the group, all youth are responsible for their own transportation to the Institute for Community Leadership. Youth are also responsible for transportation home following the weeks they participate.

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