Ensuring a Future for Emerging Chesapeake Leaders
Almost one decade ago, Choose Clean Water Coalition created the Young Professionals of the Chesapeake (YPC) Mentorship Program. YPC fills a unique need in our work for clean water. The program is among very few spaces, let alone mentorship opportunities within the Chesapeake Bay partnership, that builds support for diverse leaders within the Bay community. An annual program, YPC typically hosts a class of 40-50 professionals and has provided mentorship and training to more than 250 individuals.
But as we prepare to enter YPC's tenth year, the funding we normally secure for the YPC Program was declined. For the first time, we are turning to you, our friends, for support.Next month, we are hoping to open up registration for next year's class of YPC participants. But we cannot host the program next year unless we raise $10,000 for program expenses.
Now more than ever, it’s critical that we support our emerging leaders, equip them with the tools they need to thrive, and retain their talents for years to come. Those future generations are here now, ready and eager to make a difference.
I’ll be honest, it was difficult to hear about the declined funding, especially knowing how meaningful this program has been for so many of our participants. But I want to emphasize that this is not the end of YPC yet! The impact our YPC participants have made through this program is a powerful reminder of why it deserves to continue. Every bit of visibility and support you can provide will help us get closer to our goal.
By donating to YPC, you will not only be supporting our mentorship program, you will be supporting in-person field trips, networking opportunities, youth professional development, and online trainings such as:
Personal Sustainability and Community Care
Courageous (Difficult) Conversations
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
Combating Microaggressions
Creating Equity in the Workplace
Theories of Change to Advance Equity
Advancing Equity, Influencing without Authority
Every little bit helps. If we want to continue to protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, we must create and support leaders to do so. By making just a $10, $25, or $50 tax-deductible gift, you can help us reach $10,000 in order to make this vital program continue.
