Extended Leadership Academy (ELA) began in 2018 for older students who had previously completed Extended Family for Kids. This “next step toward success” program has since been made available to include children who are identified as “at-risk,” as well as those coping with the incarceration of a loved one. Students participate in an 18-week course that focuses on three main topics: job readiness, including practicing interview skills; health, including maintaining good physical and mental health and identifying healthy relationships; and, communication, including the are of making friends, the power of a thank you note, when and how to use phone/text/social media appropriately, and more.
It had long been a dream of Extended Family to expand the services we offer to our ELA students to include a scholarship. Last year, we were pleased to see that dream realized! Our first scholarship recipient, Miss Terri Barnwell, graduated from Spring Garden High School last May and has since continued her studies at the Georgia Institute of Cosmetology, in pursuit of her dream of one day owning her own beauty salon.
We are now accepting applications for our 2024 ELA Scholarship. To be eligible, a student must be a high school senior in good standing, have completed at least one ELA Program and have attended at least 75% of the lessons, and be able to provide proof of acceptance into a four-year or two-year college, junior college, or technical school certificate program. Seniors interested in applying may contact Daphne Rogers for more information or an application at daphne@extendedfamilyhelp.org.
Extended Leadership Academy is designed for students who want to succeed and Extended Family is honored to be able to offer the extra help they need to achieve their goals. The most important benefit from ELA is that Our Kids are taught the motto, “Lead Yourself,” which means that, regardless of their background or current situation, each student has the ability within themselves to pursue their dreams of successful and happy lives. We are excited to be able to offer support by providing resources, including scholarships, to Our Kids, offering help and inspiring hope, one child at a time.
