Youth Service

San Diego Downtown Breakfast Rotary Club's Youth Services Committee has a significant impact on youth in San Diego through its grant-funded projects and leadership development programs. Initiatives like Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Leadership Ethics Aspirations & Determination (LEAD), the Model UN Conference, and the 4-Way Test Speech Contest provide students with opportunities to enhance their leadership skills, ethical decision making, and global awareness. Interact Clubs foster community service and leadership development among high school students, while the Youth Instrumental Music Contest encourages artistic expression. These programs equip young people with valuable life skills, fostering personal growth and empowering them to become future leaders.

 

• Rotary District 5340 LEAD Conference: Held in the fall each year, LEAD is an annual conference that promotes leadership skills and personal development for 8th grade students. 
• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA): Held in Idyllwild, CA in April each year, RYLA is a leadership conference for 11th grade students. More than 200 students from throughout San Diego County gather to develop their leadership skills, have fun and build better friendships!
• Model United Nations Conference: Held in March, the Model UN Conference provides high school students the opportunity to be exposed to and engaged in major world issues while meeting and working alongside their peers from different socio-economic groups, cultures and backgrounds. Similar to the situations encountered by actual delegates to the United Nations, students strengthen their leadership skills while applying their studies in such areas as history, geography, and science to practical real-world situations. Most Importantly, they learn how to peacefully resolve conflict and reach consensus on various issues - critical tools to become peacebuilders and community leaders.
• Four-Way Test Speech Contest: This annual district-wide speech competition fosters and builds public speaking skills in high school students, while promoting interest in Rotary and awareness of the Rotary Four-Way Test among students, teachers and administrators. 
• Interact Clubs: These Rotary-sponsored clubs empower high school students to take action, develop leadership skills, build connections in the community and gain a global perspective. 
• Youth Instrumental Music Competition: Celebrating San Diego youth's talent and dedication to music education the Rotary Youth Instrumental Music Competition awards cash prizes at various levels to high school students. 

With the support of generous club members, the Youth Service Committee distributes grants to nonprofit organizations serving youth in San Diego's downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Grants are typically awarded in the $1,000 - $4,000 range and requests must be sponsored by an active member of the Club. The grant submission deadline is October 15. If funds are remaining after the fall review period, a second round of proposals will be considered in the Spring,with a submission deadline of April 1.

 

2024-2025 Youth Service Committee Co-Chairs

Greg Post and Kristin Wiggins