Youth Leadership
Young people shaping what comes next
More Than A Smile Foundation creates youth-centered opportunities for connection, skill-building, and leadership in Louisville.
Our Approach
Leadership grows through belonging and opportunity
Young people bring insight, creativity, and lived experience to their communities. Our programs create welcoming spaces where youth can build relationships, explore interests, and practice using their voices.
Activities may include mentorship, workshops, community projects, cultural connection, and career exploration. Specific offerings, participation, and outcomes are shared as they are confirmed.
We track pathways into paid roles, volunteer leadership, peer mentoring, coaching, and youth-led projects, reporting progression only when verified through program records.
How We Develop Leaders
Mentorship
One-on-One Mentoring
Mentorship opportunities connect young people with supportive adults and peers. Formats, matching practices, and participation details are shared as they are confirmed.
Skill Building
Leadership Workshops
Youth workshops create space to explore communication, collaboration, civic participation, financial literacy, and career interests. Topics and schedules are guided by community needs and confirmed programming.
Community
Civic Engagement
Community projects and cultural activities give youth opportunities to contribute ideas, build relationships, and participate in the places they call home.
Future Ready
College & Career Readiness
Career exploration and practical guidance help young people learn about education, work, and leadership pathways. Referrals and specialized advising are provided through appropriate partners when available.
Youth in Action
For funders & grant reviewers
Youth Leadership — Program Summary
The information below is structured to support grant applications, funder due diligence, and partnership inquiries. For a full conversation, please reach out directly.
Immigrant and refugee youth in Louisville face compounding barriers — language isolation, limited access to extracurricular opportunities, and the psychological weight of displacement. Without structured, culturally affirming spaces, many disengage from school and community life before reaching their potential.
Youth ages 12–24 from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, primarily in Louisville's South End and West End neighborhoods. Many are first- or second-generation Americans navigating dual cultural identities.
South Louisville (Shawnee, Parkland, Wyandotte), West End, and Smoketown. Program participants are drawn from JCPS schools with high concentrations of English Language Learners.
- Mentoring and one-on-one coaching with community leaders
- Civic engagement workshops and mock government simulations
- Career readiness sessions including resume building and interview prep
- Community service projects and youth-led initiatives
- Annual Youth Leadership Conference
- Peer leadership cohorts with structured curriculum
Year-round programming. Weekly sessions during the school year (after school, Saturdays); intensive summer leadership cohort (June–August). Annual conference held each spring.
Participation and outcome data will be published following the 2026 program cycle. The program has served youth across multiple cohorts since the Foundation's founding in 2021.
- Youth develop civic identity and sense of belonging in Louisville
- Participants gain practical career and leadership skills
- Young people build cross-cultural relationships and peer networks
- Increased confidence in public speaking and community advocacy
- Youth connect to post-secondary and workforce pathways
Participation and outcome data will be published following the 2026 program cycle. This program is designed using evidence-informed youth development frameworks emphasizing mentorship, skill-building, and community connection.
- Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS)
- Watson Institute
- Louisville Coalition for Immigrant Support
- Metro United Way
- Local faith communities and cultural organizations
Additional investment would expand the mentoring cohort, fund stipends for youth program leaders, support the annual conference, and allow the Foundation to hire a dedicated Youth Leadership Coordinator.
Amina Shale, Executive Director — [email protected] | 502-956-1414
Ready to invest in this program? We welcome site visits, due-diligence calls, and partnership conversations.
Invest in youth leadership
Support youth-centered opportunities that build connection, confidence, and pathways for young people to lead in their communities.