Connection Crew Leadership Lab

The Connection Crew Leadership Lab is a trauma-informed, community-based leadership development program for youth ages 14–19 with lived experience of trauma, behavioral health challenges, and cognitive or developmental differences.

Youth participants are not only supported as program recipients, but are intentionally developed as leaders with lived experience, preparing them to serve as:

• Peer mentors

• Youth ambassadors

• Advisory council members

• Mental health advocates

• Community representatives

Participants graduate from the Leadership Lab with increased self-efficacy, stronger emotional regulation skills, improved communication abilities, and a clear pathway into continued leadership roles within Connection Crew and partner organizations

The program equips participants with practical leadership, advocacy, and life skills through a combination of:

• Leadership and civic engagement workshops

• Social-emotional learning and mental health education

• Peer mentoring and group facilitation experiences

• Public speaking and communication skill-building

• Community service and youth-led projects

• Workforce readiness and career exploration