SevenDays is accepting applications for its Kindness Youth Leadership Team (KYLT) for the 2023-2024 school year.
The KYLT is made up of high school students from schools across the metro, faiths, cultures and ethnicities. Members are chosen through an application process; applications are available through the SevenDays website (sevendays.org). The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 4.
SevenDays is a Kansas-City based nonprofit organization that works to overcome hate by promoting kindness and understanding through education and dialogue.
Students who serve on the SevenDays KYLT meet monthly to participate in leadership training and perform acts of community service. KYLT members are called “kindness influencers” who help plan SevenDays’ annual Kindness Kickoff event and Kindness Walk and play an active role representing their schools and encouraging youth participation in SevenDays activities.
“We are looking forward to working with high schoolers from across the metro area to make Kansas City the kindest city,” said Jill Andersen, director of youth engagement for SevenDays. “We want all students to feel seen, appreciated and understood.”
This year will be the 10th anniversary for SevenDays. SevenDays was born out of hate when a White Supremacist murdered Reat Underwood, his grandfather Dr. William Corporon and Terri LaManno on April 13, 2014, outside of Jewish facilities.
“One thing I have really enjoyed about KYLT has been the many connections I’ve been able to form through it,” said Athan Tran, a rising junior at Blue Valley North who is a returning KYLT member. “Being able to work with like-minded peers from around the Greater Kansas City area has really opened my eyes to how big my community is, and the events I’ve helped organize have allowed me to meet mentors and figures I can look up to and connect with.”
Emma Sandler, who is headed to the University of Kansas this fall, served on KYLT for four years.
“Being a member of KYLT opened my eyes to the good that our community needs,” Sandler said. “As a very active member of KYLT, I learned communication, leadership, and most of all, how to be kind.”
SevenDays’ Kindness Kickoff Breakfast will take place on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, (LOVE Day). A Kindness Walk will take place on Sunday, April 14, 2023, from United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, and concluding at The J, where the Ripple Memorial is located honoring Reat Dr. Corporon and Terri LaManno.
Over the years, KYLT members have also helped develop some of the kindness resources available during SevenDays including “Carry On Kindness” cards as well as tools for educators, faith groups, businesses, families, and organizations. These online resources make it easy and convenient to participate at each person's desired level of engagement. All ages are encouraged to participate.
In the coming months, SevenDays will announce additional youth engagement opportunities through its Button Art Design Competition and Act of Kindness Scholarships.
More information about the Kindness Youth Leadership Team or other youth activities is available by emailing Jill Andersen, SevenDays’ youth engagement director, at , or by visiting sevendays.org.
