Leadership Academy
A Program of the Woodbury Community Foundation, YELA is a 5-week service learning, and leadership development program designed for rising seniors (grade 12) to develop skills for community engagement. The 2026 class occurs weekly and begins in July.
Registration for 2026 Session is now closed.
A Program of the Woodbury Community Foundation, in partnership with the Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Woodbury Heritage Society, and the City of Woodbury. This program is a 5-week service learning, leadership development and entrepreneurial program. It’s designed to give students who are incoming seniors (grade 12) opportunities to develop critical skills necessary for increased community engagement. In the program they will also acquire real world skills to succeed in the business environment and explore entrepreneurship in the 21st century. Students successfully completing the program and submitting the required essay are eligible to earn a scholarship!
The 5 class titles are:
- Woodbury’s History and How It’s Relevant to Today.
- Careers in the Community and the Path to get there.
- Service, Volunteer, & Community Engagement.
- Public Safety Team – Woodbury HERO Center.
- Elected Officials, Goal Setting, Your Future, Graduation
Have questions? Contact Manali at mshah@woodburyfoundation.org.
2026 Schedule:
1. July 23, 3-5 pm: WOODBURY HERITAGE SOCIETY
Location:
Heritage House
8025 Lake Road (corner of Lake Road and Radio Drive)
Woodbury MN 55125
2. July 30, 3-5 pm: PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM
Location: HERO Center, 10125 85th Street S., Cottage Grove, MN 55106
3. August 6, 3-5 pm CAREERS, AND PATHS TO GET THERE
Location: Central Park, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury MN 55125. WOODLANDS ROOM C
4. August 13, 3-5 pm SERVICE VOLUNTEERING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Location: At Woodbury City Hall, ASH ROOM
5. August 20, 3-5 pm GRADUATION
Location: Woodbury City Hall, COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Questions?
Youth Engagement Leadership Academy
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