The Immersive Leadership Youth Enrichment Program
The Immersive Leadership Program is a youth enrichment and leadership development initiative serving teens ages 6th-12th Grade at OneBodyENT’s headquarters in the Citadel Mall in central Colorado Springs. Meeting three times per week after school, the program provides a structured, creative, and empowering environment where young people build essential life skills, strengthen their confidence, and expand their vision of what is possible for their futures.
Purpose and Approach
This program was created in direct response to a significant community need: many young people in Colorado Springs—particularly those from underserved neighborhoods—lack consistent access to safe spaces, positive mentorship, and enriching opportunities that support success beyond the classroom. The Immersive Leadership Program addresses this need by blending life-skills education with experiential learning, equipping youth with the personal, social, and academic tools they need to thrive in school, in the workforce, and in their communities.
The program centers on five dimensions of holistic development:
1. Physical Wellness – Health, fitness, and stress management
2. Emotional & Mental Wellness – Coping skills, self-awareness, and resilience
3. Educational Growth – Academic support, tutoring, and goal setting
4. Financial Literacy – Budgeting, saving, and understanding value creation
5. Community Engagement – Civic responsibility, teamwork, and service
6. Conflict Resolution — Communicate with respect, pause before reacting and selfaccountability
Each week, youth engage with guest speakers, mentors, and industry professionals—ranging from artists and entrepreneurs to educators and community leaders—who bring lessons to life through interactive, real-world workshops.
Experiential Learning: Learning by Doing
Beyond traditional instruction, participants learn leadership, communication, and collaboration through hands-on activities and team-based challenges. Creative projects, service-learning opportunities, and group problem-solving exercises help youth apply new skills in meaningful ways.
The capstone experience of the program is a three-day immersive field trip that exposes students to new environments and ideas well beyond their immediate surroundings. For example, OnebodyEnt plans to take participants to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they will explore the Harriet Tubman Museum, tour a local college campus, and visit cultural and historical landmarks.
For many students, this is their first experience traveling by plane or leaving Colorado. This trip is intentionally transformative—not recreational—designed to broaden world views, build independence, and help youth envision themselves thriving in unfamiliar or aspirational settings. It serves as the culmination of the year’s learning and growth.
Incentive-Based Participation
To reinforce accountability and reward commitment, participants can earn up to $1,000 over the course of the program. Stipends are tied to attendance, engagement, and demonstrated growth in leadership and teamwork. This structure promotes consistent participation while modeling the relationship between effort, discipline, and reward—an essential lesson for adolescents preparing for adulthood.
Participants and Reach
Each program cohort serves 20 youth in grades 6–12, with priority given to students identified by teachers, counselors, and mentors as needing additional support or positive outlets. Recruitment occurs through OnebodyEnt’s community networks, partner schools, and local youth-serving organizations.
Evaluation and Outcomes
OnebodyEnt employs both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods to measure growth and impact, including:
• Pre- and post-program surveys assessing confidence, communication, and teamwork
• Attendance and participation tracking
• Student reflection pieces and presentations
Expected outcomes include
• Improved communication and leadership skills
• Strengthened confidence, self-awareness, and resilience
• Increased exposure to new environments, people, and ideas
• Greater motivation to pursue educational, vocational, and career pathways
Sustainability
The Men of Influence and Women of Impact is committed to sustaining and expanding this program through a combination of in-kind support, community partnerships, and ongoing fundraising. Plans include collaboration with Colorado Springs School District 2 and the Family Success Center to strengthen referral pipelines and broaden after-school reach.