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YMCA taking applications for Christian Leadership Academy
0805 CLA group file
Pictured is the most recent class of graduates of the Effingham YMCAs Christian Leadership Academy. The YMCA is taking applications for the next class until Aug. 22. - photo by File photo

The Christian Leadership Academy, a seven-month program beginning in September, is designed to take 12 rising high school sophomores and juniors from Effingham County public and private schools and train them in the skills of leadership done from a Christian perspective.

“This is our sixth year offering this program and we have high expectations for the nominees who will follow the first five classes of the CLA program,” said Kim Dennis, director of the Effingham YMCA. “The young ladies and gentlemen we have been blessed to encounter so far show that the future is bright for Effingham County.”

The purpose of the Christian Leadership Academy is to train today’s students to carry Christian leadership principles into the future world of family, education, church, government and business. These select students will meet one evening a month, in various local locations, to discuss topics such as pursuing personal excellence, discovering their purpose in life, principles of Christian leadership in the home, being informed and involved in government leadership, impacting the community through the local church, personal financial responsibility and stewardship, and Christian professional ethics.

Anyone interested in participating or volunteering with the program is asked to contact Dennis at kimd@ymcaofcoastalga.org.

All CLA students will receive a free YMCA membership for one year (SeptemberAugust), special local media recognition, award of excellence upon completion of the program, valuable experience that can be added to their personal resume, letters of recommendation used for college applications and/or job applications, priceless lessons from current community leaders on what real success and Christian leadership look like, and a sense of purpose and direction for their future.

They also will have the opportunity to travel to Atlanta to attend the Effingham Day at the Capitol event sponsored by the Effingham Chamber of Commerce, where they will meet local state representatives and possibly the governor.

Participants also will be required to give 20 hours of volunteer service to the YMCA over the course of the seven-month program.

Nomination applications should be submitted to the Effingham YMCA by Aug. 22. Only 12 students will be selected by the Effingham YMCA board of directors for this very unique opportunity. Nomination forms are available by contacting the Effingham YMCA at 8262199 or downloading them from the Web site www.ymcaofcoastalga.org.