LEAD graduates (front, l to r) – Amanda Roberts, Nicole Piazza, Su-Lin Po and Renee McCullough. (back, l to r) Nathan Hagearty, Maxwell Palmer, Nirvan Krovi and William Corwin Photo/submitted
Marlborough – Thrive Support & Advocacy recently celebrated eight young adults who graduated from the LEAD (Leadership Experience And Development) initiative. These LEADers met weekly from October to June to learn what it takes to be an effective leader, then used their leadership skills to coordinate and implement a variety of community service projects.
LEAD prepares and empowers prospective young leaders who live with intellectual and developmental challenges and possess the desire to better the world. Supported by LEAD staff and mentors, young adults (age 17-25) gain the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to become leaders in their communities.
At the graduation/reception, four of the LEADers spoke about the impact of the program on their lives.
LEADer Su-Lin Po shared, “I was nervous at first because I am shy and don’t like public speaking. LEAD helped me overcome this, and I feel more comfortable putting myself out there. I have more confidence and understand that I can make an impact in the community.”
As a LEADer, Amanda Roberts shared her most important goals, “to lead people with the skills I have developed, to share my role as a leader with others, and to make sacrifices by taking a backseat in my role as a leader so that I can build up others to succeed in different situations.”
