In 2016 Debbie Lombardo collaborated with the West Side Youth Development Coalition to create the H.O.P.E. Youth Leadership Summit, a one-day event at boys and girls clubs for local high school and middle school students. By collaborating with additional groups and community leaders, this event grew to become a four-week certificate Youth Leadership Academy.
The purpose of YK716 is to provide ALL youth with a barrier-free, quality leadership program that is comparable to more expensive, private programs. In addition to building youth leadership skills, the program also connects youth to community organizations in need of volunteers, interns, and employees.
