"A Chance to Serve" (ACTS) is a community youth leadership program that places youth on local boards and committees after participating in a series of five day-long leadership training sessions. Purdue Extension Jay County partners with local community leaders to provide an opportunity for the youth to participate and be active members on boards and committees. ACTS was developed in response to concerns from youth in Jay County. Only 20 youth from Jay County High School in grades 9-11 will be eligible to participate in sessions covering leadership topics such as communication and consensus building. At the end of the program participants are selected to serve on a board in their community for one year to utilize the leadership skills they have acquired throughout ACTS.

The sessions will be hands-on and interactive. Topics to be covered include communication, public speaking, and listening skills; youth and adult perspectives and stereotypes; gifts, talents, and personality surveys; trusteeship, community visioning and philanthropy; board and group process, consensus building, and government, and a field trip.

Major Goals:

1. Youth will identify their individual gifts and talents, and apply this information to their daily activities.
   
2. Youth will recognize community issues and indicate where they can use their skills and knowledge to make an impact.
   
3. Youth will acquire and enhance leadership skills necessary to actively participate as community decision-makers.
   
4. Youth will develop partnerships with adults to serve in decision-making positions in their community.​

How can I get Involved in ACTS?

Any youth in grades 9-11 and living anywhere in Jay County are welcome to join! Participation in ACTS are used for students' field days and meet new graduation requirements for the class of 2023. The current session of ACTS has already started, but will be held again next school year!

For more information or to apply for ACTS, contact Virgil Jones at virgil@jcdpc.org or Chynna Ratliff at chynna@jcdpc.org