About Us:
The program was established in 1993 for high school juniors attending the nine high schools in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Through the generous support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Garth Brooks “Teammates for Kids” Foundation, the program expanded in 2002 into Jackson County, Missouri and Johnson County, Kansas. Their support provided the expansion of the 10-month Junior Leaders program and allowed the implementation of the 5-month Senior Leaders Program for students successfully completing the Junior program. In October 2003, the program became a separate organization and was granted its own 501(c)(3) status six weeks after submittal on November 3, 2003.
What is 20/20 Leadership?
20/20 Leadership is a bi-state youth educational and development program. A diverse group of students from 21 high schools representing eleven school districts participate. Focus is on the 2.0-4.0 GPA student. The four program components include:
Junior Leaders: A 10-month program
Senior Leaders: A 5-month program
Leaders internship: College, technical school, military students provided internship opportunities to enhance their decision making skills about careers and future.
Fellows/Alumni Leaders: Graduates return to program as trainers, mentors, board, advisory and committee members
Vision: Developing Leaders for a Lifetime!
Mission: To educate and expose students to community issues, develop personal and leadership skills, and build community-wide relationships. 20/20 Leadership creates a stronger work force and more involved community
Program Curriculum Includes:
Entrepreneurship - Panel of business owners share information, start-up costs, personal risk, employee issues, challenges faced and benefits of being your own boss. Monopoly is played whereby students develop business plan, meet to discuss zoning issues with city administrators; discuss business loans with bankers—receive rejection and learn to strategize and discuss personal financial needs when starting your own business
Economics - Planning/zoning/financial issues faced by businesses and entrepreneurs. Students begin to understand the value of tax credits, star bonds—economic incentives and what they mean to community development. Developers, architects and city officials share projects in KCMO, KCK, Johnson County and Independence.
Finances - Federal Reserve Bank works with students as they develop personal budgets, discuss credit card debt, college loans, and investments.
Community and Cultural Awareness - Learning about student’s own community and surrounding communities within the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Local and State Government - Understanding the importance of registering and voting, working campaigns, running for office (while in college or after) and discussing issues with local and state officials in Jefferson City, MO and Topeka, KS.
Truman Library White House Decision Making - Berlin Crisis - Students better understand the role of the President, his staff and difficult decisions made.
College Exploration - 15 colleges meet to discuss application process, scholarships, student loans, and SAT/ACT testing preparation.
Career Exploration - 35 businesses meet with students to discuss business and skills needed by employees. Businesses who work with us include Cerner, Sprint, GM, BPU, DST, KPMG, Country Club Bank, KCMO & Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Johnson County, Black & Veatch, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway, Platform Advertising, H&R Block, and Time Warner…and that’s only a partial list!
Understanding the Law - Honorable Victor Howard, Missouri Court of Appeals and Dan Crabtree, Stinson Morrison Hecker, LLP explain the workings of law as students present their case.
Personal Development - Students learn interview techniques; develop personal marketing skills and complete resume and cover letter. Upon completing the 15-month program, all students have a completed resume and can participate in the Leaders Internship program available to them upon completion of their first year of college.
Social Services - Introduction of needs in KCMO, KCK and Johnson County; students visit agencies to see first hand the needs within their communities.
Metro Art Tour - Includes a scavenger hunt in downtown Kansas City, tour of the Kansas City Art Institute, Hallmark Cards, Nelson-Atkins Museum and the downtown entertainment district. Students learn “how to” enjoy a museum.
Community Services Projects - Click here to see a current list of projects.