LEAD Program

Our Children. Our Future.

About

The Leadership and Employment, Achievement and Direction (LEAD) program provides unique training in civic engagement, leadership and employability skills to young people. This fun and interactive experience consists of workshops in résumé and cover letter writing, interviewing, dressing for success, stress management, game night, financial literacy, field trips to local businesses and colleges and more!

The Mayor’s 100 is a campaign to identify 100 businesses to partner with the City of Grand Rapids to provide meaningful jobs for young people. Students will be hired by various local businesses that specialize in web development, marketing, graphic design, customer service, investment management, engineering, and more. Students that complete LEAD will be employed at a business participating in the Mayor’s 100 Campaign.

Eligibility

  • Must be ages 15 to 24 at the start of training
  • Must be a Grand Rapids resident or attending college in the Greater Grand Rapids area
  • You DO NOT have to have a high school diploma, GED nor be enrolled college to eligible for this program
  • No GPA minimum required
  • Must be able to commit to entire length of training and job placement
  • Must be eligible to work in the United States of America

Our Children. Our Future.

Once LEAD participants successfully complete training, they are eligible for summer employment through Mayor’s 100 Businesses (see button above) paying $10 – $13/hr. All participants must also go through a pre-employment processes that may include the following: submit resume and cover letter, fill out job application, attend interview, etc. before being hired.

All LEAD trainings occur at Grand Rapids City Hall located at 300 Monroe Ave., NW, directly across the street from the DeVos Place Convention Center. Free parking will be available at the Government Center parking ramp beneath City Hall and bus passes will be given to those who need them. Bike ramps are also available outside of City Hall.

Summer 2020 Session Dates:
Postponed. Please check back later for more information.

Spring 2019 Session Dates:
April 29 – May 15, 2019

8:30am – 4:00pm Daily

  • 18 to 24 year-olds ONLY
  • *Paid training for those who qualify

Summer 2019 Session Dates:
June 3 – 19, 2019

8:30am – 4:00pm Daily

  • 15 to 24 year-olds
  • *Paid training for 18-24 year olds who qualify
  • Application Deadline: May 27, 2019

*Some 18 to 24 yr. olds maybe eligible for paid training based on residence requirements.

Hard copy application form

Announcement:  Postponed. Please check back later for more information.

Here you can find a hard copy of the LEAD Application Form. Alternatively, applicants can fill in this PDF and send it with the information provided in one of two ways.

  1. Using our provided physical address via USPS (post)
  2. Send via a direct Email to sharris@grcity.us

If you have any questions regarding the application process or Our Community’s Children, you can give Shannon a call or Email with the information provided.

Shannon L. Harris
Executive Director

Our Community’s Children
201 Market SW. 2nd Floor  Grand Rapids, MI 49503

616.456.3558
sharris@grcity.us