State police offer leadership academy to Flint teens

Saginaw and Flint teens will have the opportunity this summer to participate in the Michigan State Police Youth Leadership Academy.

 

There are sessions being held in Saginaw, Flint and Detroit this summer, and the program, in its ninth year, is open to 15 and 16-year-old boys and girls who want to learn leadership skills. The curriculum focuses on respect, trust and responsibility and includes water safety, physical training, first aid, ethics, presentation skills, team-building and leadership exercises over a forty-hour course.

 

The Flint academy will be held August 3-7 for boys and August 17-21 for girls, and the Saginaw academy is scheduled July 20-24 for boys and August 10-14 for girls. The program is free to attend, and sponsored by the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant. Interested parents or teens can sign up online. There are limited spots available in each community.

 

The Detroit academy will be held June 22-26 for boys and July 27-31 for girls.

 

"The Michigan State Police Youth Leadership Academy helps to change lives in a positive way, one teen at a time," says Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. "With the rise in crime in the city of Flint, this program shows teens there is an alternative to gangs and violence, and it allows law enforcement officers to support and connect with local youth outside of their normal roles as law enforcers.  Young people have the power to make a positive difference in their community and with the lessons taught in this program, they will also have the knowledge and support needed to succeed."