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SEBA's Five-Year Growth Strategy
- Establishment of SEBA Leadership Clubs Nationwide: Our foremost goal is to establish SEBA Leadership Clubs in every high school across the United States. This initiative aims to foster a culture of leadership and community service among students.
- Technological Integration and Online Platforms: We plan to equip each high school with its own dedicated webpage on our SEBA platform. This online space will serve as a hub for students to collaborate on service projects, both locally and nationally, thereby enhancing their impact on various communities.
- Inspirational Leadership Exposure: Through our digital presence, students will have the opportunity to learn from and connect with distinguished youth leaders who are making significant contributions to societal change and shaping the future.
- Leveraging Technology for Career Exploration: We intend to utilize technology as a tool to introduce students to an array of new career paths and volunteer opportunities. This exposure is crucial in guiding them towards meaningful and fulfilling professional pursuits.
- Cultivating Future Leaders: Our overarching ambition is to inspire and nurture future leaders who embody integrity, dignity, and pride. We are dedicated to fostering an environment that promotes leadership development, ensuring that our youth are well-equipped to make a lasting, positive impact on the world. Additionally, we prioritize supporting the mental health of student peers and are committed to preventing violence, bullying, and suicide among high school students. Recognizing the interplay between mental health and leadership potential, our approach is holistic, focusing on creating a safe and supportive environment conducive to personal growth and positive societal change.
SEBA's Integrated Approach: Collaborative Nonprofit Engagement and Mental Health Advocacy
SEBA distinguishes itself in the nonprofit sector by not only fostering collaborative partnerships with a variety of organizations but also by placing a significant emphasis on the mental health and well-being of students. Our primary goal extends beyond traditional community service; it involves integrating mental health support into our engagements with other nonprofits. This approach allows students to participate in service projects while receiving and contributing to mental health awareness and support within their communities.
Through our initiatives, we advocate for the understanding that community service can be a powerful tool for mental health improvement. By actively involving students in projects that have a positive impact on their surroundings, we aim to enhance their sense of purpose, belonging, and self-efficacy. These experiences are instrumental in fostering resilience and emotional well-being among young individuals.
Moreover, SEBA is committed to partnering with mental health organizations to provide resources and support to students. This includes workshops, counseling sessions, and awareness campaigns that focus on the importance of mental health in both personal development and community service. By integrating mental health advocacy into our collaborative efforts, we aim to create a holistic environment where students can thrive personally, socially, and emotionally, while contributing positively to their communities.
In essence, SEBA's unique approach not only lies in its commitment to collaborative partnerships and community service but also in its dedication to the mental health and overall well-being of students. This comprehensive strategy is designed to nurture well-rounded individuals who are equipped to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
SEBA's Evolving Approach Since Its Inception in 2010
Established in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SEBA has continually adapted and refined its approach to better serve the needs of today's youth. Recognizing the ever-evolving technological landscape and the unique challenges faced by students in the digital age, we have leveraged technology to enhance our reach and effectiveness.
In an era where social media prevalence often leads to stress, feelings of isolation, and a loss of focus among students, SEBA has responded by implementing a peer-to-peer strategy. This approach not only aims to foster success and good citizenship but also addresses the need for a supportive and trust-filled environment for students. Our programs encourage students to support and motivate each other, cultivating a sense of community and belonging.
Additionally, SEBA recognizes the importance of mentorship in developing future leaders and responsible citizens. To this end, we have integrated qualified mentors into our programs, providing guidance and support to students as they navigate their personal and professional growth. This mentorship, coupled with comprehensive tools and training, equips students to replicate leadership qualities and make meaningful contributions to society.
SEBA's approach, therefore, is a multifaceted one, blending peer support, mentorship, and technology to meet the complex needs of today's youth. Our commitment is to not only create leaders but to ensure that these leaders are well-rounded, empathetic, and equipped to positively impact the world.
Innovative Engagement Strategy in SEBA's Leadership Training
SEBA's adoption of an innovative strategy, pivotal in our leadership training programs, is the inclusion of dedicated sessions for parents alongside their children's training. A key component of this approach involves offering a two-hour leadership training session for parents during the students' Saturday leadership workshops. The objective of these sessions is not only to inform parents about the leadership skills their children are acquiring but also to actively engage them in the learning process. This engagement serves to remind parents to think about, practice, and reinforce these skills at home, thereby creating a supportive and encouraging environment for their children.
This strategy has proven to be highly effective in our experience. Parents, witnessing firsthand the positive transformations in their children, often undergo a shift in their own perspectives. This change in parental approach further fosters a conducive environment for the children's leadership development. Moreover, this dynamic creates a virtuous cycle where the children, in turn, can positively influence their parents, leading to a holistic improvement in family dynamics.
Through this innovative approach, SEBA not only impacts the students directly but also extends its influence to their families, ensuring a more comprehensive and sustained development of leadership qualities. This strategy underscores our commitment to not just educate young leaders but to also involve and transform their immediate support systems, thereby amplifying the overall effectiveness of our programs.
SEBA was born out of the lessons, challenges, and transformative moments that shaped my life. Growing up in Chicago, my first lesson in integrity came at five years old when a simple act of taking a lollipop from an open bag led to a stern encounter with a store manager. That experience taught me early on that actions have consequences, no matter how small.
Later, in high school, I had a job as an usher, I made a poor decision to pocket a box of fishhooks during an event. Out of all the ushers, I was the one caught and fired. It was a humbling moment that ingrained in me the value of honesty and the importance of doing what’s right, even when no one is watching.
Another pivotal moment came when I gave my football jersey to a bullied classmate. Decades later, he wrote to me to share how that act of kindness changed his life, inspiring him to excel in sports and pursue his dreams. That letter showed me how even the smallest gestures can create ripples of positive impact.
When my children struggled with bullying and rejection at school, I saw the emotional toll it took on them and knew I had to act. SEBA was created to help students find belonging, develop character, and learn essential leadership and life skills.
SEBA’s mission is to break the cycles of exclusion, bullying, and unpreparedness by empowering young people to lead with confidence, empathy, and resilience. Through mentorship, peer-to-peer leadership, and community engagement, we give students the tools to thrive and create a brighter future.
These personal experiences shaped SEBA’s foundation, and my goal is to inspire a generation of leaders who can transform their communities and make a lasting impact.
How does being 50 or older make a difference in how you approach and perform your organization’s work?
As I approach my work with SEBA, being over 50 has profoundly shaped how I lead, connect, and inspire. Years of life experience have provided me with a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of what leadership truly means. These lessons allow me to approach SEBA's mission with a blend of empathy, wisdom, and intentionality that only time can refine.
One of the most significant changes is how I communicate. Earlier in my career, I believed leadership was about being heard. Now, I know it's about listening deeply and without judgment. This shift has allowed me to foster trust and create an environment where students, volunteers, and stakeholders feel seen and valued. It’s in these moments of genuine connection that the seeds of leadership begin to grow.
Age has also brought a greater sense of humility and conscientiousness. I’ve learned to approach challenges not with the urgency of solving them alone but with the awareness that collaboration and shared wisdom yield better outcomes. These qualities help me demonstrate care and inspire others to embody those same traits, especially the young leaders we’re mentoring.
Another gift of experience is patience. Leading SEBA requires navigating challenges like fostering peer-to-peer mentorship and building mental health awareness tasks that don’t yield immediate results. My years have taught me to trust the process and focus on long-term impact, knowing that the work we do today will echo in the lives of students tomorrow.
Ultimately, age and experience give me the ability to guide SEBA with heart and wisdom. My journey allows me to see the potential in others and help them believe in themselves. Leadership isn’t about age, it’s about creating a legacy of kindness, resilience, and purpose for the next generation.
Personal Reflections on the Impact of SEBA's Mission
My personal journey with SEBA has been profoundly shaped by the troubling rise in violence within schools, often fueled by social media influences and a disturbing 'copycat' phenomenon. Witnessing the tragic consequences of this trend, where young individuals resort to self-harm or harm towards others, has deeply affected me. This issue strikes a chord, particularly when it involves cases of suicide or violence against peers who may have bullied or tormented them, or simply because they perceive it as a viable option showcased online.
This reality has instilled in me a strong desire to reach out to these vulnerable youths. My aim is to fundamentally transform their mindset, helping them understand the value of life and the critical importance of rejecting the normalization of violence and aggression in their environments. SEBA's mission, therefore, extends beyond conventional education; it encompasses fostering a sense of responsibility, compassion, and awareness among students.
Through SEBA, I am committed to advocating for a change in school culture - one that prioritizes mental well-being, promotes positive leadership qualities, and encourages students to become not just better citizens, but model citizens. This involves nurturing an environment of care and concern, where the focus is on holistic education and personal growth. The personal impact of SEBA's work is a constant reminder of the importance of our mission in creating safer, more empathetic educational spaces.