The Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation, sponsor of Youth Congress for the past 25 years, has reorganized the youth outreach program. Beginning this year the foundation will present a Youth Congress Leadership Program patterned after the leadership programs for adults that are offered by local Chambers of Commerce.

“Our objective is to help students in grades nine to 12 develop effective leadership skills while learning more about their communities. We are counting on the knowledge they gain to help them become active members of their cities and give input to the agencies affecting their lives,” said Pat Grant, Future Foundation trustee and chair of the Youth Congress Leadership Program. “This will be affirmed by their participation in a community service project of their choosing at the end of the program.”

Meetings will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. every other week on Thursdays beginning Jan. 7, 2010, and ending April 15, 2010. The class will not meet on April 1, due to spring break.

An orientation/leadership meeting will take place Dec. 10, and a follow-up meeting to choose volunteer opportunities will be on April 29, 2010.

The leadership program provides a way for youths to perform community service hours required for college acceptance and also highlights career opportunities in public service.

The program covers an introduction to leadership, local government, law enforcement, health services, park and recreation, education, human services and business. The session will be conducted by representatives from the above entities, and the students will meet at the venue where the speaker works, such as the sheriff’s station, school district or hospital. Each program will be different and contain tours, discussions and presentations.

Applications are due by Nov. 30 and can be obtained from the student’s school office or online at www.clvff.org.

For more information, call (818) 880-1054.