Hygiene for Hope! A Youth Leadership Story
Leadership has transformative power. If you ask us, it’s a superpower really!
So what happens when we empower the next generation of leaders right here in Fond du Lac County to be superheroes?
Youth Leadership Fond du Lac (YLF), a program of Sophia Partners, increases youth participant knowledge of the people, resources, and organizations that make OUR communities better—and here’s how our young leaders are making a real difference.
On Monday, May 12, 2025, Sophia Partners celebrated the Youth Leadership Fond du Lac year-end event at Lakeside Park Pavilion in Fond du Lac on a sunny Wisconsin day.
Parents, high school liaisons, program sponsors, Sophia board members, and community leaders were invited to celebrate the completion of this year’s program, specifically each individual youth’s growth and the impact the students made in our community.
The Most Important Quest is Right Before You
Greg Giles, Executive Director of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, was the keynote speaker and one of our sponsor representatives at the year-end event.
With their junior year on the horizon, Greg pointed out that these Youth Leadership students have a lot coming in the near future.
“It feels like everything is about the future. But what if I told you the most important quest you have is happening right now, right here in Fond du Lac?”
8 Ways for Youth to Lead Locally
- Leadership Isn’t a Title, It’s an Action (The “Samwise Gamgee” Principle) You don’t need to be elected or appointed. Leadership is about stepping up, helping out, taking initiative, even when it’s not your ‘job’.
- Find Your “Why” – What Bugs You or Inspires You? (Your “Origin Story”) What issues in school or Fond du Lac get you fired up? What change do you wish you could see? That passion is your fuel.
- The “Ripple Effect” Starts with One Pebble (You) (The “TikTok Trend” Effect) Small, consistent actions create bigger waves. Don’t underestimate the power of one positive comment, one act of kindness, one good idea shared.
- Leverage Your Unique “Superpower” (Talents & Skills) (Your “Character Class”) What are you good at? Art, coding, organizing, listening, writing, sports, humor? Use that skill to contribute.
- Assemble Your “Squad” – Power in Collaboration (The “Group Chat” Strategy) You don’t have to do it alone. Find others who share your passion or have complementary skills. Teamwork makes the dream work (and is way less stressful).
- Your Voice Matters – IRL and Online (The “Mic Drop” Moment) Speak up respectfully for what you believe in, ask questions, and offer solutions. Use your platform (whether it’s a classroom discussion or your social media) positively.
- The “Grind” is Real – Consistency Beats Intensity (The “Training Montage”) Making a difference isn’t usually one big heroic moment, but lots of small, consistent efforts over time. Don’t get discouraged if change doesn’t happen overnight.
- “Keep it Real” – Authentic Leadership Connects (No “Fake Views”) Be yourself. People are drawn to genuine passion and authenticity. Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to seem “leader-like.” Your unique perspective is valuable.
Hygiene for Hope: Community Impact Project
One of the facets of YLF is to plan, create, and execute an impact project that positively impacts the community. This year, students recognized a need to provide hygiene items for their peers who might otherwise not have access to such items on a regular basis or in an emergency.
The Goal: 140 Items (per category)
Body Wash/Soap- Deodorant
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Socks
- Toothpaste/Toothbrush
Each team of students organized collection sites around Fond du Lac County and held the hygiene drives in late winter/early spring.
On Monday April 14, 2025, the students brought all the items collected from the drives and organized them into bags to be distributed within their high schools and community locations around Fond du Lac County.
The End Result:
Nearly 1,000 items consisting of soap & body wash, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, socks, toothpaste & toothbrushes along with miscellaneous hygiene items were donated!
“There are many different ways to be a leader and this program helps you find your strengths and adapt those into the way you lead.” – 2024-2025 Participant
About Youth Leadership Fond du Lac
YLF was founded in 2006 under the facilitation of Envision Greater Fond du Lac as a project of the adult Leadership Fond du Lac program.
Since 2021, Sophia Partners has been the program facilitator and over 73 students have participated in the program!
During this 8-month long program during the school year, 17 juniors selected from eight Fond du Lac County high schools engaged in their own personal leadership journeys while learning about and significantly improving their perception of the greater Fond du Lac area communities.
In total, 340 students have participated in YLF since its inception almost 20 years ago!
How Can You Foster the Next Generation of Leaders?
Did you know? YLF is provided at no cost to students and schools!
Sophia Partners relies on donations, sponsors, and grants as primary funding sources to underwrite the $1,000 cost per student to participate in this program.
If you would like to contribute to next year’s program or sponsor a student, donate here!
“The youth are our future, and the best investment that can be made in a community is in the furthering and betterment of the activities that our youth can take part in.” – 2023-2024 Participant
Thank you to this year’s sponsors:
