Trumbull Students Leaving a MARK

In 2023 The Mary J. Sherlach Center received some additional funding through the Connecticut Youth Services Bureau Grant.  It was determined that what the Trumbull Community needed was a true leadership program for youth. A youth leadership program that was peer initiated and peer led. 

 In order to create that group, the Mary J. Sherlach Center partnered with Dylan’s wings of Change.   Dylan’s wings of Change was created as a movement dedicated to enhancing the lives of all humans, to instill the belief that everybody matters.  Their programs focus on fostering leadership skills and team-centered mentalities that nurture social and emotional development; shape good leaders; and inspire empathy, courage and hope in communities.

 In October 2023 a group of 20 Trumbull High school students participated in an engaging peer-to-peer learning and experiential-based workshop designed to create connections that inspire kindness, respect and gratitude and empower the empathetic leaders to harness the courage to lead. The Youth leadership program S.L.A.M. emerged from that process. The students created the name which stands for Students leaving a Mark. They created their own logo as well.

 The students from that training developed ideas about what they could do to foster a positive impact on their community. They worked together to offer leadership to younger students by creating team building initiates at events in the spring and summer. They have since decided to focus on community events. Their mission is to create a supportive and inclusive environment in their school and local community. They want to work to help students be their true authentic selves. They are dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and self-worth, cultivating leadership, and encouraging community enrichment. Through guidance, motivation, and a strong sense of belonging they strive to empower each student to reach their potential and contribute positively to their environment. This is the mission statement that they created on their own. 

 A second training was held in October 2024.  In order to be considered for this training, applicants submitted a questionnaire created by the existing members of the SLAM group.  They were looking for committed high school students who are passionate about improving themselves and others through community involvement.  This group of students have decided in addition to working with young people in the summer they would like to host a community wide event focused on community connections. 

To that end they are creating and hosting a Mental Health Awareness event for the month of May. The focus is Strengthening and engaging families and community with play. It will be an Ice Cream Social with a carnival atmosphere with a live DJ and lots of activities that appeal to all ages. There will be games and family teams designed to enhance cooperation, fun and working together. Slam has invited a host of community partners to participate in the event.  The event will be held on Monday May 19^th at Old Mine Park from 5:00 – 7:00. This peer led initiative is facilitated by Robin Bieber, LMFT & Jeroy Smith, LPC. For more information you may contact the Mary J Sherlach Center at 203-452-5193.