Local leader recognized by global nonprofit for their commitment to opportunity youth, personal growth and the YouthBuild movement
Jenette Adams, Director of YouthBuild Long Island at YouthBuild Long Island, joined 19 of her peers in Boston, Massachusetts last week for the first in-person meeting of the YouthBuild USA 2024-2026 cohort of Leadership Fellows.
Adams was selected to join this first-ever global cohort of 20 dedicated international leaders from across the YouthBuild movement for their commitment to the growth and success of opportunity youth — young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither in school nor employed. They embody the principles of service and transformation at the heart of the YouthBuild mission.
YouthBuild Long Island joins over 280 local programs around the world that partner with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood and leadership. In YouthBuild programs, opportunity youth pursue their education, prepare for future careers and grow into community leaders, building brighter futures for themselves and their neighborhoods. Responding to the urgent need for knowledge, training, and opportunity, YouthBuild primarily serves young people who lack a high school diploma and financial resources.
"We are incredibly proud of Jenette Adams for being selected to join the inaugural global cohort of 20 international leaders from the YouthBuild movement. Her dedication to the growth and success of opportunity youth is truly inspiring, and this recognition reflects her unwavering commitment to empowering young adults who face significant challenges,” said Theresa Regnante, president and CEO of United Way of Long Island. “Jennete’s leadership will undoubtedly drive positive change and create brighter futures for the youth in our communities."
“I am grateful for this incredible opportunity to be part of the first Global Leadership Fellows,” said Adams. “ This experience will not only empower me to further my professional growth but also allows me to contribute meaningfully to the YouthBuild movement, fostering a community of innovation and collaboration.”
The two-year fellowship is designed to support the leadership of local YouthBuild program directors around the world, providing opportunities to strengthen their leadership and organizational development skills, build community, and work together to strengthen collective efforts in support of opportunity youth. It offers an immersive learning experience with three key components: Leadership and Professional Development; Self-Care; and Peer Support and Community Building. Fellows work together on practices to inform the entire network about positive youth development and program sustainability, influencing the future of policies and practices at all YouthBuild programs. This framework is grounded in YouthBuild’s core values of love, collaboration, accountability, diversity, and leadership.
The YouthBuild Leadership Fellows includes at least four in-person gatherings and multiple virtual sessions across two years, guided by a blend of peer insights, YouthBuild USA staff, and external experts. Last week’s event in Boston included sessions on burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue; developing a personal leadership brand; self-care and self-reflection; and personal visioning and action planning. Fellows also had intentional time for networking with their peers, YouthBuild USA staff, and local Boston-based leaders.
“Our Leadership Fellows hold immense talent and vision for the YouthBuild movement. We’re excited to support them in their professional and personal growth trajectories,” said John Valverde, president and CEO of YouthBuild USA. “We aim to cultivate a fellowship experience that isn’t just an accolade, but a transformative period for each leader and, by extension, the communities they serve. It’s a recognition of their immense potential to influence change and propel YouthBuild toward new heights.”
Learn more about YouthBuild Long Island.