To develop a resource of skilled, informed and committed leaders who will make a difference in the Federal Way community.

The Advancing Leadership program is designed to ensure that the pool of talent from which the community can draw its future leaders continues to be renewed. Adult participants utilize key leadership components designed to create a healthy community by implementing a class-selected project that will benefit the Federal Way Community, inclusive to economic development, human services, government, education, quality of life, community service and diversity.

The adults accepted into the nine month program will participate in a balanced combination of retreats, full-day class sessions and community projects. The program begins in September with a retreat focusing on development of personal and public leadership and team building. Once a month, participants attend a daylong session, which culminates with a team project and class graduation.

Team Project 2008! Building Dreams through Shared Experiences. The mission of this year's team project is to bring together children in the Federal Way schools with active, vibrant seniors of the Federal Way Senior Center for mutually beneficial relationships through mentoring and activity-based events.

The primary goals are to create a sustainable program that helps children gain positive self esteem, academic enhancement and build long-term relationships with a caring adult. The seniors will gain pride in lifelong accomplishments by sharing their experiences and love with a child.

Sponsorship opportunities and application are available for the kick off event.  See  "Watch the Connections" on the City of Federal Way website

For more information about mentoring youth, contact Advancing Leadership's "sister" organization Communities in Schools of Federal Way