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Where YOUR Potential is Unlocked and Purpose is Discovered
COMING SOON!
YouLEAD EPICenter Educational & Economic Projects Impacting Communities
for low to moderate income residents
Emerging Leaders: Empowered4Purpose and Helping Hubs Project Initiative For More Information Email To dclemons@flon.org
Unlocking YOUR Potential at YouLEAD EPICenter, a unique State of the Art Community Center
Future Leaders Outreach Network (FLON), the lead agency for the YouLEAD EPICenter, working in collaboration with YouLEAD Assistance Network (YAN), a nonprofit affiliate of FLON, to integrate YAN’s Emerging Leaders: Empowered4Purpose and Helping Hub project initiatives.
The Helping Hub youth-led project concept was developed and presented in 2024 and 2025 by high school students from Wyandotte County schools, who served on the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council (MYLC). The students presented the Helping Hub project to former Mayor Garner and the Board of Commissioners, and the initiative is now supported by Mayor/CEO Christal Watson. This collaborative approach along with other collaborative partners reflects a strong commitment to youth leadership, shared governance, and expanded resources for homeless youth, adults, and other residents.
Community-Based Setting: The multi-purpose community center will include, but is not limited to, physical and mental health services; telemedicine services; a kitchen serving nutritious meals with cafeteria-style seating; education and workforce development programming; financial literacy; gymnasiums that can be converted for multi-use purposes; a fitness center; gymnasium multi-purpose room; offices and classrooms; access to essential resources; and opportunities for community empowerment—designed to address the needs of low-to-moderate income residents.
Who Will Benefit from the YouLEAD EPICenter and Helping Hub:
Students, grades 5–12 * Young adults, ages 19–25 * Adults, ages 26 and up
Young adults (Intellectually and developmentally disabled) and homeless population
Slogan: Leaders Are LIke EAGLES Soaring To New Heights
Empowering Purpose through Healthy Choices
Summary:
School-Based Setting: The YouLEAD EPICenter equips students grades 5-12, young adults, and adults with the skills for life, leadership, and livelihood through an innovative five-tier model. This model integrates workforce development, job readiness, professional skills development, financial literacy, introduction to entrepreneurship, prevention education—addressing alcohol, drugs, tobacco/vaping, and violence, prevention from teen pregnancy —and mental health awareness to empower purpose through healthy choices.
Click here to learn about FLONs Young Leaders of Distinction and Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Participants are equipped with skills that empower them to set goals, become effective leaders, and pursue economic well-being through high-demand, high-salary occupations. Each tier builds upon the previous one—creating a pathway from personal growth to professional success.
Target Population: Through this evidence-informed approach, young people and adults residing in underserved and disadvantaged communities benefit and gain access to equitable opportunities that promote self-sufficiency, leadership development, and long-term community prosperity.
Emerging Leaders: Empowered4Purpose – Five-Tier Training Model
The YouLEAD EPICenter Simulation Incubator offers an innovative, hands-on training experience where participants learn from evidence-based and evidence-informed curricula that connect education to real-world employment.
Participants also benefit from job referrals, on-site job fairs, and internship opportunities that bridge training to employment. By combining immersive learning with proven workforce strategies, the Simulation Incubator prepares individuals to be job-ready, purpose-driven, and equipped to lead in today’s evolving economy.
Through Educational–Virtual Reality (E-VR) simulations, participants explore career pathway occupations that include but are not limited to healthcare, construction, aviation, welding, technology, forklift, HVAC, robotics, drone operation, hospitality, culinary arts and more. Youth and adults develop essential skills—leadership, communication, and accountability—while building confidence to pursue meaningful careers for life long success.
Tier 1: Healthy Choices Equal Healthy Pathways
Tier 2: DREAMS2 Career Workforce Development
Tier 3: Professional Skills Development
Tier 4: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Tier 5: Sankofa Village: Power of Community
Emerging Leaders: Empowered4Purpose – Five-Tier Training Model
Tier 1: Healthy Choices Equal Healthy Pathways
Focus and Impact: Prevention Education and Life Skills
Promotes prevention education and life skills that help participants make positive choices, avoiding alcohol, drugs, and violence while building responsibility, emotional awareness, and self-control.
What You’ll Learn:
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Consequences of alcohol, drugs, vaping, and violence
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Emotional awareness, self-regulation, and stress management
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Conflict resolution and communication skills
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Responsible decision-making and personal accountability
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Building self-respect, empathy, and healthy relationships
Tier 2: DREAMS²Career Workforce Development
Focus and Impact: Job Readiness, Career Pathway Exploration, and Economic Mobility
What You’ll Learn:
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Resume writing, cover letters, and thank-you letters
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Job interview techniques and professional etiquette
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Virtual Reality Job Interview Simulator (JIS) practice
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Career Pathway Occupations Exploration
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Financial literacy and workplace professionalism
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Hands-on simulations for CTE-aligned careers: healthcare, HVAC, welding, electrical, construction, aviation, HVAC, robotics, drone operation, forklift, hospitality, culinary arts and more
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Performing Arts & EduTainment
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Exposure to job referrals, on-site job fairs, and internship opportunities
Tier 3: Professional Skills Development
Focus and Impact: Soft Skills, Leadership, and the C.A.R.E. Principle
What You’ll Learn:
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Professional conduct, accountability, and reliability
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Effective communication and conflict resolution
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Time management and organizational skills
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Team collaboration and leadership development
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Emotional intelligence and empathy in the workplace
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Applying the C.A.R.E. Principle—Committed, Accountable, Respectful, and Engaged
Tier 4: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Focus and Impact: Innovation, Business Development, and Financial Independence
What You’ll Learn:
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Developing a business idea and writing a business plan
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Budgeting, pricing, and financial management
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Branding, marketing, and customer service
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Hands-on projects with mentorship support
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Basics of business ownership and sustainability
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Networking with local entrepreneurs and incubator partners
Tier 5: Sankofa Village – Power of Community
Focus and Impact: Mental Health Wellness and Community Connections
Tier 5, a new program introduces an innovative approach that connects workforce development with mental health education and support services—helping individuals build emotional strength, access community resources, and sustain long-term employment and well-being.
What You’ll Learn:
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How mental wellness supports career success and job readiness
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Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid certification
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How to recognize and respond to mental health challenges through Mental Health First Aid training
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How emotional wellness and mental health impact workforce development and job readiness
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Strategies for managing stress, improving focus, and maintaining work-life balance
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Techniques to strengthen confidence, empathy, and resilience in the workplace
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Building confidence, empathy, and emotional resilience
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Support through Sankofa Village Rites of Passage Program and Network Referral
🔗 Learn More - Click Here
School-Based YouLEAD EPICenter Simulation Incubator Collaboration with F.L. Schlagle High School (Kansas City KS) After-School 21st Century Community Learning Center
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