Youth Leadership Initiative

Youth Leadership Initiative The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) is cultivating change makers through catalyzing leadership pathways for youth in our communities. https://linktr.ee/yli.mn

Every year, YLI creates a zine to showcase the artworks, ideas, and experiences of our participants! This year, our zine...
02/21/2026

Every year, YLI creates a zine to showcase the artworks, ideas, and experiences of our participants! This year, our zine centers around the theme of love: specifically, how can love empower us to change the world?

If you’re interested in submitting work, please visit the link in our bio for contribution specifics. Our final submission deadline is 11:59PM, March 29th, 2026.

01/31/2026

THE FLOWERS OF THE DANDELION...

To celebrate the Youth Leadership Initiative's 5th year as a non-profit organization, we spoke to some of our current and former youth participants about how YLI has helped them explore their past, relish the present, and build toward the future.

Check out part two of the three-part video series here:

01/31/2026

THE SEEDS OF THE DANDELION...

To celebrate the Youth Leadership Initiative's 5th year as a non-profit organization, we spoke to some of our current and former youth participants about how YLI has helped them explore their past, relish the present, and build toward the future.

Check out the final part of the three-part video series here:

01/31/2026

THE ROOTS OF THE DANDELION...

To celebrate the Youth Leadership Initiative's 5th year as a non-profit organization, we spoke to some of our current and former youth participants about how YLI has helped them explore their past, relish the present, and build toward the future.

Check out part one of the three-part video series here: https://youtu.be/xDMzVnyyBuI

Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to make all YLI programming virtual through the end of January.
01/14/2026

Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to make all YLI programming virtual through the end of January.

YLI presents… INSPIRATION DINNER 2026: HONORING OUR NORTH STARSWHEN: Thursday, March 19th from 6-8PMWHERE: Arlington Hil...
01/12/2026

YLI presents… INSPIRATION DINNER 2026: HONORING OUR NORTH STARS

WHEN: Thursday, March 19th from 6-8PM
WHERE: Arlington Hills Community Center
DRESS CODE: semi-formal

Inspiration Dinner is a YLI tradition centered around our commitment to public expressions of gratitude to those who have inspired, uplifted, and supported us. Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/INSPIRATION26 to nominate someone who has inspired you.

On Saturday, November 15th, we hosted our first Cultural Session for the 2025-26 program year! Cultural Sessions are fie...
11/25/2025

On Saturday, November 15th, we hosted our first Cultural Session for the 2025-26 program year! Cultural Sessions are field trips around the Twin Cities which offer our youth the opportunity to learn about our cities’ rich histories and make connections with local community leaders. Our first session centered around the themes of migration, family history, and the power of storytelling.

During our visit to Rondo Commemorative Plaza and the Frogtown Community Center, we were able to explore many questions: Where did we come from? And how did we get here? How is storytelling involved in these processes of movement and change? How can storytelling be used to heal? To harm? What can we learn from each other’s stories?

Check our blog to read more details about our Cultural Session! yli-mn.org/blog

Last week, on Give to the Max Day, we raised $5,232 for our program! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for this expressi...
11/25/2025

Last week, on Give to the Max Day, we raised $5,232 for our program! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for this expression of community support.

Whether you donated on GTMD, have volunteered with us, or have told your family and friends about us, your support helps our small but mighty team of staff and volunteers to run our program and work towards our mission of cultivating social-justice oriented youth leaders in the Twin Cities. At a time when those in power are seeking to sow antagonism and atomize our communities, your support is a gesture which illustrates the power of collective, grassroots support to bolster the critical services we provide, and we sincerely thank you for it.

Your donation to YLI supports TRANSFORMING THE SYSTEMS THAT IMPACT YOUTH!It is imperative that youth have a role in shap...
11/20/2025

Your donation to YLI supports TRANSFORMING THE SYSTEMS THAT IMPACT YOUTH!

It is imperative that youth have a role in shaping the systems which so deeply affect their lives and communities. By uplifting youths’ voices, we can transform the world to welcome and nurture future generations.

Your donation to YLI supports FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS!Our program is constructed around building relationships between yo...
11/19/2025

Your donation to YLI supports FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS!

Our program is constructed around building relationships between youth, and between youth and adults. We believe that strong relationships built on trust lead to more robust teamwork, holistic discussions, and mindful problem-solving.

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