Leadership in Action: Students Stepping Up at The Outlet

At The Outlet Youth Center, we often talk about helping kids grow into their best selves. For some of our students, that means discovering new talents, building friendships, or finding a safe place to belong. But for many, it also means learning how to be a leader—someone who steps up, sets an example, and makes a difference in the lives of others.

This fall, we’ve been especially inspired by the way our older students are choosing to lead. Whether it’s welcoming new faces, lending a hand to staff, or modeling good choices, leadership at The Outlet isn’t about titles or positions—it’s about everyday actions.

One of the clearest places we see leadership is in how our older teens interact with the younger students. With the start of a new school year, we’ve seen an influx of new students who have joined our program. Walking through our building and you’ll often find an older student showing a younger student how to play pool, teaching them how some of our STEM equipment works, or simply helping them understand the rules and how to act appropriately. Those small acts of kindness create an atmosphere where every student feels included and valued.

We’ve seen students demonstrate leadership in other, quieter ways as well. Some help clean up after meals without being asked. Others notice when someone is sitting alone and take the time to strike up a conversation. These small choices may not draw a lot of attention, but they set an example for everyone else in the room.

Perhaps most importantly, leadership at The Outlet is about influence. Younger students naturally look up to their older peers, watching how they act and how they treat others. When teens choose to be positive role models, they shape the culture of our center and, in return, their community. Respect, responsibility, and kindness become contagious. It gives us so much hope for the future of this generation!

The Outlet is intentional about encouraging leadership development. Staff and volunteers often give students opportunities to take responsibility, whether that’s helping with snack time, assisting in the van during rides, or simply taking out the trash. We remind them that leadership is not about perfection but about serving others, learning from mistakes, and continuing to grow.

What excites us most is that the leadership skills students practice at The Outlet don’t stop at our doors. These young people carry those lessons into their classrooms, onto their sports teams, into their jobs, and back into their families. By learning to lead here, they’re preparing to contribute to the wider community in meaningful ways.

Leadership in action at The Outlet reminds us of something important: kids don’t have to wait until they’re adults to make a difference. Every encouraging word, every helping hand, every moment of inclusion—it all matters. And when students learn to lead with kindness and confidence, they inspire others to do the same. That’s the kind of ripple effect we want to see in our community, and it’s happening every day at The Outlet.

You can be part of this impact. A gift to The Outlet Youth Center helps us continue building future leaders right here in our community. Consider supporting our mission today—because when kids thrive, our whole community thrives. Checks can be sent to PO BOX 286, Rochester, IN, or you can give online at www.theoutletyouthcenter.org/donate.

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