Kellogg leadership for community for change

By Amelia Adams

PABLO - Harry Goldman explained the meaning of the Kellogg Leadership Community for Change as, "To take an idea that everyone has the potential to be a leader and everyone has strengths."

On Wednesday afternoon, a display at the Three Wolves Building at Salish Kootenai College showcased the idea that elders can empower the young to become leaders and that the strength comes from within. "This display shows the past four years the college has been working with the Kellogg Foundation on an initiative to build group leadership," according to Harry Goldman, program director.

The Kellogg Foundation picked SKC as one of the six sites out of the nation to be part of the leadership foundation. The program is about community involvement and to help people become leaders. A total of 25 people are working on the project, with ages starting at the youngest participant, 13-year-old Mariah Friedlander, and oldest participant elder Eva Boyd.

The program has been primarily focusing on School District #30, but has been building partnerships with the Coalition for Kids, the Strengthening Families Program, and the Boys and Girls Club.

This summer, Jesse Jansen and Chaney Bell took 12 boys to various activities all summer, many which included cultural activities with their elders. "The students were very adamant about learning their history from their elders," said Goldman.

Funding resources for the program have been provided by the Kellogg Foundation, but as of recently other economical resources have been secured to keep the project up and running for years to come.

"This is about life. The idea is you internalize how to be a leader as you grow," Harry Goldman.