Through 4ATX Foundation’s Verde Youth Leadership Academy Presented by Q2, local high school and middle school students have taken part in multiple activities focused on fostering life and professional skills and learning how to give back to the community.
Program events for the 2022 school year kicked off in the spring.
First, high school students participated in a career readiness workshop on April 27 at Q2 Stadium, led by Q2 employees. During the session, participants learned about best practices related to resume development, mock interviewing, and giving and receiving professional feedback.
On May 7, students led a clean-up of the Wooldridge School Park Mini-Pitch, with Q2 and Austin Parks & Recreation staff members in attendance. The Youth Leadership Academy high school leaders planned and ran the park clean-up for 30 middle school students from 4ATX Foundation’s Verde Leaders program.
"I am so impressed by how committed and intentional the 4ATX Foundation is in setting young people up for success in their lives, not just through areas related to education, but also by developing and fine-tuning valuable life skills as well," said Kim Hollenshead, Q2 Senior Recruiter and Verde Youth Leadership Academy Volunteer.
Looking ahead, the Verde Youth Leadership Academy will soon begin paying high school students to coach soccer and lead educational activities for Verde Leaders middle school students. Applications will go out in July for eligible high school students who want to be a paid coach and continue to receive leadership development in partnership with Q2. The program's schedule of events will continue through the fall.
“With the help of Q2, the Verde Youth Leadership Academy has already made a tremendous impact on the lives of its students,” said 4ATX Foundation Director of Youth Development Jordan Marden. “We look forward to future programming to continue working with these students to create meaningful growth and educational opportunities for them.”
