The Kids & Youth Development Seminars (KYDS) is an 18-month leadership and youth development series for youth and adults. It is designed to foster positive youth development through building leadership and partnerships between youth and adults.

The KYDS Leadership Program has several components in order to create a supportive environment for young people to develop on all levels, emotionally, physically, socially, intellectually and spiritually. This is done through helping to broaden skills, ideas, relationships and networks among those interested in creating a long-term supportive environment for youth. Over the years, in excess of 400 adults and youth have completed th is program.

The goal of the KYDS program is to provide participants (students, volunteers, residents, professionals, etc.) with the skills and experiences that enable them to:

• Understand issues, programs and strategies that impact youth and families;
• Work to develop ideas, plans and activities that support youth development;
• Build personal leadership skills and networks that in return strengthen the capacity of community efforts for youth; and
• Identify resources that can be used to improve the community for youth.

Program Components

Kick Off - celebration is intended as an orientation for selected participants and their families. It is usually a reception with entertainment.

Parent Orientation – Detroit Youth Foundation staff meet with the parents of the youth in the program to share information about what we are trying to accomplish and how the parents can best support us in that effort.

General Retreat – At the beginning of each KYDs Leadership Program an overnight General Retreat is held at an out-of-town location. The purpose is to help set the tone for promoting teamwork and a sense of community among the KYDS participants. It also helps to provide an opportunity for the participants get to know one another and to practice group development and leadership skills. The general retreat for our recent program was held at the Thomas Edison Inn in Port Huron, Michigan.

Monthly Meetings - dinner meetings held for adults and youth enrolled in the program. The monthly meetings address various topics that impact youth and families and allow for exploration of various topics such as: "Bridging the Generation Gap: Hip Hop Music", "What Is Positive Youth Development"? , "Youth Employment Opportunities" and more.

Youth Meetings – topics of particular interest to the young people are addressed including: "How to Deal With Peer Pressure", "How to Prepare for College" and "How to Find a Job". The focus of the youth meetings promote personal development. Young people volunteer to help plan and run these meetings. Pizza and other favorite foods are served.

Travel Seminars – allow small groups of 6-12 participants to visit exemplary youth programs and meet with national leaders in youth development. These seminars usually last between two to three days. Previous destinations include: Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Atlanta and Cleveland.

Youth Swing Outs - provides opportunities for KYDS youth and adults to hang out together in social and recreational environments. They are meant to promote community building and networking among KYDS participants in order to improve the quality of life for both as well as to promote improved communications between adults and youth. We also hope to encourage adults and youth to be knowledgeable about cultural events and institutions in the Detroit area.

Special Community & Civic Events – DYF supports many local civic events and organizations that promote the well being of youth and families. Often youth and adults are offered opportunities to participate in these events. Additionally, occasionally DYF sponsors special events such as the KYDS Leadership Reunion Cookout held during the summer.

Monthly Meetings - dinner meetings held for adults and youth enrolled in the program. The monthly meetings address various topics that impact youth and families and allow for exploration of various topics such as: "Bridging the Generation Gap: Hip Hop Music", "What Is Positive Youth Development"? , "Youth Employment Opportunities" and more.

Youth Meetings – topics of particular interests to the young people are addressed including: "How to Deal With Peer Pressure" and "Sexuality". Young people volunteer to help plan and run these meetings. Pizza and other favorite foods are there for the young people.

Travel Seminars –allow small groups of 12-18 participants to visit exemplary youth programs and meet with national leaders in youth development. These seminars usually last between two to three days. Previous destinations include: Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Atlanta and Cleveland.

Youth Swing Outs - provides opportunities for KYDS youth and adults to hang out together in social and recreational environments. They are meant to promote community building and networking among KYDS participants in order to improve the quality of life for both as well as to promote improved communications between adults and youth. We also hope to encourage adults and youth to be knowledgeable about cultural events and institutions in the Detroit area.

Special Community & Civic Events –DYF supports many local civic events and organizations that promote the well being of youth and families. Often youth and adults are offered opportunities to participate in these events.

Closing Banquet - A culminating event celebrating the completion of the leadership program usually completes the program!

Testimonials

From Deborah Davis: It was a great pleasure, as well as an honor, to participate in the KYDS program. I found myself looking forward to the monthly meetings whereby I could greet, meet and network with persons (youth and adults) whose mission intertwined with mine … to positively motivate and stimulate the youth of this great City.

From April Randle:
Hi my name is April Randle and I am a freshman vocal performance major at Alcorn State University. I was inspired while participating in the Detroit Youth Foundation’s KYDS leadership program. I had a sense of belonging in this program. I always felt someone cared because every time I turned around there was someone there in my corner supporting me. I left KYDS knowing that anything that I wanted to do was possible with hard work, discipline, and dedication. I can so whatever I set my mind to. This program taught me that all of my help comes from GOD and that prayer changes things.