LEAD 2024 - 2025

Youth Engagement Program for High School Students

The LEAD program is designed to inspire and equip high school students with essential leadership skills while nurturing a strong sense of social responsibility. Our goal is to cultivate socially conscious leaders who not only excel academically but also actively contribute to creating a better world for all.

By participating in the LEAD program, you'll engage in hands-on volunteering, dynamic expert-led workshops, and thought-provoking speaker sessions.

Key program details include:

1. Program duration is from October 1st, 2024, to September 30th, 2025.
2. Each registered student will receive a Sewa shirt for event participation, so please select your correct size during registration.
3. A mandatory 2-hour in-person meeting will occur on a designated Sunday each month. Details regarding the  meetings and its timings will be communicated before the LEAD program begins. These meetings offer students the opportunity to meet our adult leaders, connect with fellow LEAD students, engage in project discussions, share ideas, and build an effective leadership network.
   
4. Quarterly in-person Speaker Series (a chance to interact with accomplished personalities) attendance is mandatory for all LEAD students.
5. Registration to LEAD offers the opportunity to apply to our exclusive Design to Lead (DTL) program, by invitation only for selected students.

These experiences will ignite your leadership passion, enhance collaborative skills, and guide you in making meaningful community contributions. As you embark on this transformative journey, your registration reflects dedication to personal growth, cooperation, and positive impact. Join us in shaping a generation of impactful leaders.

As you embark on this remarkable journey, we invite you to complete the registration form. Your decision to join the LEAD program reflects your dedication to personal growth, cooperation, and positive impact. Together, we will shape a generation of leaders who make a significant difference.

Before you sign up, please spend a few minutes to go through the LEAD presentation.

Hear what our LEAD students have to say

Please Note:

• Community Service hours outside of Sewa are not transferable.
• Immersion hours during Summer  (weekdays and Weekend)
• Sewa volunteering hours are not to replace credit at school classes (Gym, Orchestra, Other Curriculum activity).
• Selection criteria: Limited seats, on first come first served basis. Open to all racial, ethnic, religious, and gender backgrounds.
• Registration extended until November 20th, 2024.
• Info Session for the Sewa LEAD program was held on Sep 12th, 2024 at 8:00 PM PST. Here is the info session recording.

  Contact lead-ba@sewausa.org for any questions.

Sewa International has partnered with Sacred Heart Community Service for this event. Volunteers will help with one or more of the following activities: sorting and hanging clothing donations, recording donations and giving out receipts, bagging produce or chicken, and/or packing grocery bags for members who are unhoused.

Register

Date and Time: Saturday, September 20th, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: 1381 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95110

Dress code: Please make sure to wear closed-toed shoes for your safety. Gloves will be provided and masks are optional.

Parking: SHC parking lot is reserved for members receiving services. There is ample parking available in the surrounding neighborhood and it is safe to park in. Please see the map below for available street parking. Carpooling is recommended.

Important Reminders from SHC: 

Sacred Heart is an anti-racist and harassment free workplace. If you see or hear anything that bothers you, please tell a staff member. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our space. If you do not feel comfortable telling a staff member, please complete our feedback form. 

Please treat everyone with dignity, compassion, and respect. We expect everyone who comes through our doors to give and receive dignity, compassion, and respect. 

Please follow staff instructions for your safety.

Please remain at your assigned station or task for the duration of your shift. Our staff and members depend on you supporting them at your assigned station. If you have limitations which prevent you from fulfilling your assigned task, please let a staff member know and we will reassign you. 

Please refrain from using your phone or earphones unless you have an emergency.This is for your safety so that you can hear equipment moving in the warehouse.  Additionally, we ask that you be present out of respect for our members.

Please take photos of yourselves, but not our members. This is to protect their privacy. 

Please cleanup after yourself: If you enjoy coffee, tea, water, or snacks in the Haven, please leave the space as you found it out of respect for our janitorial staff. 

Sewa International has partnered with Tracy Interfaith Ministries for this event. Volunteers will help with weighing, sorting, and shelving food; sorting and hanging clothing; making boxes; cleaning; and organizing.

Register

Date and Time: Saturday, September 20th, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: 311 West Grant Line Road, Tracy, CA 95376

Prize categories:

* Best Male & Best Female Dress

* Best Male & Best Female Dance

* Best Boy & Girl (Dance or Dress)

* Best Couple (Dance or Dress)