Building Leaders Who Build Leaders

The Mentored become the Mentors

The iLEAD program for 9-12th grade students was developed to provide iLEADers with the opportunity to practice the leadership skills they learn in session with the younger students in the program, in their families, and in serving the community. iLEADers are hired as part-time employees who work in the classroom under the supervision of the Lead Teachers, tutoring and mentoring the younger students, helping with classroom projects, and supervising recreation and games.

We think our iLEADers are exceptional young people and would love to introduce you to some of our newest iLEADers.

Meet some of our newest iLEADers from the Palomino Promise Neighborhood!

“It makes you feel good to help the younger kids find the good path and learn to do what’s right, even when it’s hard.”

Leo, 11th grade

On-the-Job Training - Tiers 1 and 2

The iLEAD program is divided into four tiers, and students must successfully complete their assignments and pass their performance reviews to advance to the next tier. Tier 1 and Tier 2 are designed for the freshman and sophomore years, but every student will begin at Tier 1 regardless of their grade level or age.

To be admitted to Tier 1, an iLEADer must go through an interview process as they would with any job and not everyone is accepted into the program. The students are coached throughout the interview and onboarding experience, giving them real-life experience in getting a job. The practical coaching continues through Tier 1 and 2 through informal feedback and formal performance reviews conducted by their Program Coordinator and Lead Teachers.

Other aspects of the iLEAD program include continued academic support includes tutoring, one-on-one and group mentoring, advanced leadership and life skills training, and assistance in navigating college/trade-school admissions and scholarship opportunities and creating a plan for their post-high school life.

`iLEAD End of Summer Party - Job Well Done!`

“When I think of Mr. John, he’s kind, nice, generous, and he basically presents himself well, like, he’s a great role model.”

D’Angelo, 4th Grade

Community Connection - Tiers 3 and 4

Once an iLEADer has successfully completed Tiers 1 and 2, they are ready to move into the next phase which focuses on placing an iLEADer in a job with one of our Community Partners. These partnerships are forged with local businesses that understand our mission and appreciate the leadership skills that iLEADers have learned and practiced through Tier 1 and 2. This is a win-win-win partnership: iLEADers get to grow their resume and earn more money, local businesses get motivated employees who know what it takes to succeed at a job, and we get to continue mentoring and building into the lives of our iLEADers through regular sessions.

An important part of what happens in iLEAD sessions in the third and fourth-tier is planning for the future. Their assignments during this period will include identifying their post-graduate goals and planning to achieve them. For college-bound students, we help them navigate the college selection, application, and financial aid process. If a student is more interested in trade school or going directly into the workforce, we help them plan accordingly. Whether a student attends college or a trade school after graduation, there is scholarship money available to them , thanks to a few generous donors.

The power of our investment in the lives of our iLEADers is demonstrated in this video of a former iLEADer, John Smith, who was hired to become an Assistant Teacher in our South Phoenix Promise Neighborhood. John told his story at our 2021 Annual Breakfast Event.