Service Leadership Academy

Service Leadership Academy

Created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and closures, the Service Leadership Academy is a virtual learning, leading, and serving platform created by Project 351. The SLA is designed to approximate the Ambassador Journey through enrichment, skills building, and practical application of knowledge through service. SLA creates service impact through statewide mobilization and special focus on civic engagement and issue awareness. Programming includes social media and online content as well as weekly forums with special guests and movement-makers, including First Lady Lauren Baker, WBZ-TV’s Lisa Hughes, Congressman Jim McGovern, State Rep. Tram Nguyen, Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, and more.

SLA aims to foster the joy of service and the power of community through a virtual environment. SLA will return in 2021 as a foundational element of the Ambassador Journey!

Fall 2020 SLA: Recap

In October of 2020, SLA's weekly programming prepared Ambassadors and Alumni for Fall Service and our critical mission to END HUNGER, a pervasive need made even more urgent this year by the pandemic.

Some important facts:

• Project Bread has reported a 300% increase in households experiencing food insecurity, from 9% to 38%.

• Today, one-in-five children face food insecurity in Massachusetts, a dramatic increase from one-in-nine children pre-pandemic.

• This rise in food insecurity has led to a 100% increase in demand on regional food banks and local food pantries, as reported by the Greater Boston Food Bank.

• The Greater Boston Food Bank now distributes about 2.5 million pounds a week to more than 660,000 people -- an increase of 1.5 million pounds/week from pre-pandemic.

• About 1 million residents in Massachusetts are food insecure.

The challenge is great, but you know what's even greater? The courage, compassion, and whatever-it-takes spirit of Project 351 Ambassadors and Alumni. SLA set a foundation for the success of Fall Service, which supports hometown food pantries through food drives, fundraising, and civic engagement. 

Fall SLA Goals:

• Build our Understanding of Hunger: How does hunger affect our state by geographic region? By age? By race and ethnicity? Crucially, how has the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated hunger and need?

• Learning from Inspirational Leaders: Each week featured a Conversation with Charlie or Alumni-led Leadership Lesson, featuring change-makers to inspire and motivate our commitment!

• Building Skills for Leading Change: Focus on tools for leadership, civic engagement, and the how-to build your plan for Fall Service -- step-by-step.

• Engage and Take Action! SLA invited and challenged participants to engage on social media and to take action in their hometowns!

Spring 2020 SLA: Recap

Thank you to the 175 Ambassadors & Alumni who completed our inaugural Service Leadership Academy in the Spring of 2020! We are so proud of your dedication, service, and leadership in the midst of challenging times. Over eight weeks, you deepened your knowledge of critical issues; gained skills for leading change; and created positive impact through innovative service. And, in the face of a global pandemic, demonstrated the transformative power of 35ONE!

Below, find links and an archive of Spring 2020 SLA resources. Thank you for your engagement and join us this Fall!