YLNI Announces “Project Oversight”

Thursday, February 24, 2011

An Initiative to Spur Engagement of Young Leaders in Community Development

Fort Wayne, Ind. – Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) introduces a new initiative called Project Oversight. A part of YLNI’s Community Impact committee, this initiative goes to the heart of YLNI’s mission of ensuring that young leaders actively participate in the community. Although young leaders are found in various levels of community involvement, significant improvements can be made to strengthen the voice of the younger generations. Project Oversight is a conscious effort to target such areas for improvement and bolster the demographic’s voice in the community.

Many other communities have developed initiatives to better engage the young professionals demographic in community endeavors. In Cincinnati, Mayor Mallory’s Young Professionals Kitchen Cabinet is a collection of 100 young professionals that regularly meet with and advise the mayor from a younger perspective. In New Orleans the young leaders movement is backed by a $1,000,000 endowment ensuring that the demographic’s voice is heard. In Nashville the city celebrates a collection of over forty (40) different young professional organizations. These and other programs strengthen the attachment of young professionals to their respective communities. Northeast Indiana can do a better job of engaging this demographic and increase their connection to the community.

Young leaders already serve instrumental roles for many of our community’s non-profit organizations and economic development entities such as our Chambers, the Regional Partnership, the Local Economic Development Organizations (LEDOs) and the Downtown Improvement District. As part of this initiative YLNI aims to better utilize those established connections and bolster communications with its network in order to ensure that the demographic is best represented throughout the community. Where improvement is needed, YLNI hopes this initiative will help all generations work together.

Project Oversight will begin with following the Legacy Task Force and its recommendations regarding the nearly $75 million in funds targeted to create a lasting legacy for Fort Wayne. From March 7-16th the Legacy Task Force will conduct a series of nine public forums. Through Project Oversight YLNI will commit to attending these forums and report to the network regarding the various discussions. “Where these funds are directed is very important to our community, and YLNI is hoping to spur our demographic into realizing that this is the opportunity they have been looking for if they really want to be involved in helping shape our future,” stated Sam Graves, YLNI VP of Community Impact. Where appropriate, the committee will provide its own feedback and recommendations to the task force. Through its own oversight of community projects, the demographic can avoid becoming one.

The Legacy Task Force marks the beginning for Project Oversight. YLNI will also follow renewed discussions regarding the North River property and other community planning projects. Project Oversight embraces the spirit of inclusion. All YLNI members and members of the demographic are encouraged to participate in this initiative, and may do so by contacting impact@ylni.org. The legacy of Fort Wayne demands the involvement of the young leaders’ demographic – and all generations need to work together if we want to create a legacy worth embracing.

If you would like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview, please contact Michael Barranda or Sam Graves.

About YLNI – The Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) is a dynamic group that is connected to the community and committed to making it a vibrant and viable place to live, work and play. The mission is to engage and empower our young leaders through community, professional and social opportunities.

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