Funding will Support "Community Service Day" as Part of HOBY's World Leadership Congress July 23-30 in Chicago
Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership announced today that it has received a grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation to support HOBY's World Leadership Congress July 23-30 in Chicago. HOBY is the nation's foremost nonprofit youth leadership development organization.
Now in its 43rd year, the 2011 World Leadership Congress is expected to attract more than 400 youth ambassadors from the United States and at least 15 different countries who will engage in leadership learning and hands-on community service projects. Specifically, the $20,000 grant will be used in sponsorship of Community Service Day, the one day during the conference when attendees go into the community and collectively contribute more than 3,200 hours in service to select not-for-profit organizations.
The Robert R. McCormick Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1955 upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. It is one of the nation's largest charities, committed to fostering communities of educated, informed and engaged citizens.
"The mission of the McCormick Foundation is wonderfully aligned with that of HOBY as we work to inspire high school students to be leaders in their communities and in the world," said Javier LaFianza, president and chief executive officer of HOBY. "With our World Leadership Congress taking place at Loyola University in Chicago this summer, it is so appropriate that this locally based foundation play a role in enriching the learning experience for our attendees."
Participants at the World Leadership Congress will include a portion of the nearly 10,000 high school students who attended one of HOBY's 70 leadership seminars held across the country in the spring. That group will be complemented by international students that help augment the learning experience of today's global society. Community Service Day is only one component of the week-long activities during which attendees will be exposed to a distinguished group of leaders from various sectors in business, government, international affairs, science and technology, medicine, media and education. The week includes educational sessions, interactive workshops, training exercises, focus groups and individualized training, leaving its participants "more mature individuals, more aware of the world around them, and more empowered to make a difference in that world," said LaFianza.
Further information on the 2011 World Leadership Congress may be obtained at www.hoby.org. For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact LaFianza directly at lafianzaj@hoby.org. Information on volunteering for the Congress may be found at www.hoby.org/volunteerforWLC.php.
For more than 50 years, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership has helped to cultivate tomorrow's leaders by inspiring a global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation. HOBY programs annually provide nearly 10,000 local and international high school students the opportunity to participate in unique leadership training, service learning and motivation-building experiences. HOBY also provides adults the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of youth by volunteering, and today more than 4,000 volunteers and over 365,000 alumni proudly make up the HOBY family. Further information may be obtained at www.hoby.org.
Contacts:
for Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership
Ross Goldberg
818-597-8453,
x-1
