Volunteer

CLD Volunteer Opportunities

The Center for Leadership Development depends on more than 200 volunteers to accomplish our mission of advancing minority youth to be future professional, business and community leaders. Our need for volunteers is always growing. We need your expertise to continue providing opportunities to our community. Become a volunteer at CLD by filling out the volunteer interest form below!

The steps to volunteer are:

  1. Fill out volunteer interest form below
  2. Receive and complete background check via Trusted Employee email
  3. Talk with volunteer coordinator to determine interest and next opportunity
  4. Volunteer!

Special Events & Community Outreach

Join the CLD staff at special events as a volunteer! Volunteers are needed to assist with registration, ushering, set up and tear down, marketing/recruitment table, and other opportunities during program orientations, graduation ceremonies, the Annual Minority Achievers Awards and Scholarship Gala, Golf Outing, College Prep Conference & College Fair and at Indiana Black Expo.

  • Minority Achievers Awards and Scholarship Gala takes place the third Thursday in March
  • Indiana Black Expo takes place in July
  • College Prep Conference and College Fair takes place on a Saturday in August
 

Administrative Support

CLD has a small full-time staff ready to welcome volunteers who are able to provide administrative support for our major mailings, telephone campaigns, student registrations, filing and other projects. Volunteers are needed during business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and some evenings or weekends.

Become a CLD Program Facilitator

CLD’s ability to engage and impact Central Indiana youth and families is directly influenced by your willingness to serve and develop our next generation of leaders. You will receive comprehensive training, easy-to-follow curriculum and ongoing support during your service.

You can make a difference for Central Indiana youth.

Jr. Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project: 4th-6th graders

Young people are facing more challenges than ever before. Through interaction with peers and facilitators, youth begin a journey leading to success, receiving tools to overcome barriers that prohibit academic achievement. Students gain an understanding of how to communicate well, how to study effectively and how to transition successfully from elementary school to junior high school.

  • 8 consecutive Saturdays August through September
  • 9:00 – 11:30 AM or 12:00 – 2:30 PM

Imani Book Club: 4th-12th graders

The goal of the Imani Book Club is to improve literacy by fostering a positive self-image and nurturing a love and an appreciation for the written word. Students read 1-2 books over the summer and engage in written and oral activities such as presentations, debates, journaling and keeping a vocabulary log.

  • 6 consecutive Tuesdays June through July
  • 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Precious Miss Program: 6th-8th grade females only

Young ladies learn how to strengthen and maintain good character, discover new things about themselves, explore friendships and relationships, develop a positive body image and increase their self esteem. Participants develop coping skills they will need when interacting with their peers and adults. Classes are facilitated by adult professional African-American females.

  • 8 consecutive Saturdays
  • Spring Session: March through May
  • 9 – 11:30 AM or 12 – 2:30 PM
  • Fall Session: October through December
  • 9 – 11:30 AM or 12 – 2:30 PM

Project MR. (Male Responsibility): 7th-10th grade males only

This all-male program shows how young men can set goals, make healthy lifestyle choices, work cooperatively with peers and adults and communicate effectively. Students learn how to handle pressures that lead to bad decisions and how to recognize the consequences of their choices before making them. Classes are facilitated by adult professional African-American men.

  • 6 consecutive Saturdays
  • Spring Session: April through May 
  • 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Fall Session: October through November
  • 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Success Prep: 8th graders entering into 9th grade & current 9th grade students

Students and their parents or guardians receive information on high school academic expectations, study skills, time management, peer pressure and how to successfully enter college. Participants experience a college tour at the end of the program.

  • 4 consecutive Saturdays in the summer and fall (last sessions extended for college tours)
  • 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Preparation Course: 10th-12th graders

Students receive instruction on each section of the SAT: critical reading, writing and math. They learn about the test format, directions for the test segments, how to prioritize test-taking procedures and how to make the best use of test time. This program is held on 4-6 consecutive Saturdays in the spring.

  • 4-6 consecutive Saturdays in the spring
  • 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Self-Discovery/Career Exploration Project (SD/CE): 10th-12th graders

Students learn how to improve communication, study effectively, increase leadership competence, exhibit behaviors of successful individuals, identify college and career options and requirements and understand how to recognize and overcome barriers to success.

  • 13 consecutive sessions in both the fall and the spring
  • Fall session: September through December
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday 6:00 – 8:30 PM and/or
  • Saturday 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM or 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  • Spring session: January through April 
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday 6:00 – 8:30 PM and/or
  • Saturday 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM or 1:00 – 3:00 PM

College Prep: Rising 10th-12th graders and current 10th-12th graders

What does it take to be successful in college? What is it going to be like? How do I study? How do I deal with financial aid? What do I need to know about selecting classes? Students and parents get a comprehensive view of college admission and graduation requirements and learn how to get into college, succeed in college and graduate.

  • 8 consecutive sessions for students on Wednesdays and Saturdays
  • Wednesdays 6:00 – 9:00 PM
  • Saturdays 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • 4 consecutive sessions for parents on Saturdays
  • Saturdays 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Business Orientation Project: 10th-12th graders

Youth learn about business and entrepreneurship from talented African-American business professionals who bring a wide range of knowledge and ability gained from meeting and overcoming real life challenges. Students learn how to plan their career choice, operate a business, make speeches, write business letters and interview properly.

  • 11 consecutive Saturdays January through March
  • 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Facilitators host one business session on an assigned Saturday

Tutoring Opportunities

The College Prep Institute (CPI) is a college readiness resource center located within the Center for Leadership Development dedicated to assisting students in grades 4 through 12, parents and community organizations serving youth by providing free resources and services. We are here at every point in an individuals’ educational journey – including evenings and weekends – with caring, highly qualified guidance counselors, tutors and other professionals.

One Day Initiatives

Role Model/Career Advisor: 8th-12th graders, rising college freshman, and parents

Parents and students learn about careers of interest and interesting careers. Role Models are professionals with outstanding character and leadership in their field. They are selected to provide informative sessions detailing the journey to their career and the daily experiences and challenges of their profession.

  • One Saturday in the summer
  • Requirement: Ability to speak publicly, engage an audience of 6th to 12th graders or parents, prepare and present an interesting program with hand-outs. Able to influence their organization to provide job shadowing, volunteer opportunities or other career related experiences within their organization for CLD students.

College Prep Conference & College Fair

This one-day conference opens with eight dynamic sessions preparing students and parents for the entire college process from enrollment, admission, to the first day on campus followed by a college and career fair.

  • One Saturday in the fall
  • Day-of opportunities: Session instructor, registration, directional assistance, classroom monitors, distribution and collection of information
  • Pre-event opportunities: administrative assignments at the CLD office prior to the event
  •