OUR MISSION
To empower students with social emotional development, leadership and civility fostering personal growth, positive mindsets, and community engagement.
Overview
The ICE Leadership, Civility, and Service Learning (LCSL) program is dedicated to developing future leaders by equipping students with essential skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, and service. We create an environment where students build confidence, cultivate empathy, and feel empowered to make a difference in their communities.
Taylor HS Counselor
I would love to see this program expand to the middle school and think it could have a huge impact there.”
Goals and Objectives
The goal of the Leadership, Civility & Service Learning Program (LCSLP) is to equip students with the confidence, character, and communication skills needed to thrive academically and socially, while fostering a sense of purpose and civic responsibility. The program develops student voice and leadership through structured opportunities to speak, present, and engage with peers and adults. It reinforces respectful communication and collaboration through civility-based role-play and real-time interactions. Through service learning and guided mentorship, students reflect on their identity, build emotional intelligence, and begin to envision their impact on the world beyond school.
Leadership
Students developed voice, confidence, and responsibility through public speaking, peer facilitation, and real-world presentations— preparing them to lead with purpose
Civility
Youth practiced respectful communication, empathy, professional etiquette and conflict resolution building a more positive and accountable school culture.
Service Learning
Students connected classroom learning to community impact, using reflection and action to better understand their role in shaping the world around them.
Strengthen civility and emotional regulation
90% reported improved behavior and communication
Key Outcomes & Highlights
Leadership, civility, and self-awareness were at the heart of the LCSLP. These pillars empowered students to take initiative, communicate respectfully, and reflect deeply skills essential for personal growth, academic success, and positive contributions to their school and community.
Strengthen civility and emotional regulation
90% Reported improved behavior and communication
20+ Service Learning (make up) Hours granted to truant students Decrease Truancy
100%
Build youth confidence and leadership
83%
Took on leadership roles, led events, or spoke publicly
75%
Have clearer graduation/career plans Promote postsecondary awareness
Provided trauma-informed mentorship
Weekly 1:1 and small group sessions with certified CHW
Staff reported greater initiative, maturity, and respectful dialogue from participants.
POST-PROGRAM SURVEY
RESULTS
Reflected on their purpose or future
Would recommend this program to other teens
Student Self- Reflections
Feel confident speaking to adults
Handling Disagreements constructively
Actively building a positive mindset
Increased focus on future outlook
Feel spiritual growth or awareness improved in the program
Student Voices
“I didn’t think I had anything to say, but now I realize I have a story and people listen ” Student Participant
“This program helped me realize that I’m capable of leading others and setting goals for myself ” Student Participant
Audience
Gender Insight:
Female “The LSCLP classroom added value to our campus We had to mention it in a faculty meeting ” - THS Counselor
55%
Male
45%
Signature Moments & M
Through ICE’s Community Survey Practice, students are given real-time opportunities to reshape how they’re perceived on campus. These structured interactions allow students to engage respectfully with teachers and peers often transforming how they’re seen, not just as learners, but as emerging leaders
Signature Moments & Program Milestones
01.
VisiOWN Showcase – Students showcased personal life goals to community leaders and stakeholders, receiving on-the-spot mentorship invitations
02.
Career & Culture Café Series – In our signature classroom, students hosted three public speaking and professional engagement skills.
03.
Civility Dining Program – In partnership with Plowman’s Kitchen and NOLA Scala, students practiced etiquette, self-awareness, and professionalism in a social dining setting
04.
Civility Coaching – Teens built practiced role-play conflict resolution, and reflected on purpose, rejection, and growth in small group settings
05.
ICE gives students who may not have good role models in their life an opportunity to learn valuable skills and behaviors which are universally valued.
Taylor HS Faculty
March Mentor Moments – Peer-invitation speaker series introduced students to topics like resilience, leadership, and emotional strength
06.
Community Service Learning Survey Campaign –Students helped launch and canvass the DMMC Health Equity Survey practicing civic engagement and data literacy in the community
Challenges & Solutions
C INCONSISTENT ATTENDANCE
S OFFERED FLEXIBLE MAKE-UPS AND DIRECT FOLLOW-UPS WITH STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
C EMOTIONAL BARRIERS
S CERTIFIED CHW LED TRAUMA-INFORMED DISCUSSIONS TO DEEPEN TRUST AND CONNECTION
C LEADERSHIP HESITANCY
S LAYERED MENTORING EMPOWERED EVEN THE MOST HESITANT STUDENTS TO LEAD
C LIMITEDCAMPUS VISIBILITY
S PLANNING TO LAUNCH “CIVILITY AMBASSADORS” AND STUDENT-LED OUTREACH EFFORTS
SWOT Analysis
The LSCLP builds confident, civically minded students through leadership, reflection, and real-time practice. Strong outcomes and teacher support highlight its strength. While challenges like attendance and staff capacity surfaced, they reveal clear opportunities for deeper integration and scalability. With schools seeking culture-shifting solutions, LSCLP offers a timely, replicable model rooted in purpose and growth making it a smart and strategic investment for long-term impact.
Community,Volunteer&FamilyEngagement
ICE (by way of DMMC) incentivized parent volunteers with $25 HEB gift cards during student- led projects Mentors contributed weekly time to support mentees through individualized attention and group activities
Community & School Partnerships
Taylor High School – Program host and key partner in school culture transformation.
Dickey Museum & Multicultural Center – Provided projectbased learning and health equity canvassing opportunities
Tim St. Peter - Active Service Learning liasion
Plowman’s Kitchen – Hosted dining civility experiences
ATX Restaurant Equipment – Donated supplies to support technical skill exposure.
NOLA Scala – Hosted end of year civility celebration dining experiences.
Community Program Interest
Legacy High School – Explored program replication and site expansion
Greater Taylor Foundation – Interest in community networking opportunities
Workforce Solutions (Rural) – Explored program expansion for schools.
Impact Counseling – Explored program expansion for pregnant Young women/ Teens.
Communities In Schools – Explored the visible wrap around potential of the program.
Why Continued Support Matters
With the support of the Olson Foundation and our community partners at the Dickey Museum and Multipurpose Center, ICE has demonstrated:
The ability to create lasting behavior change in youth
Impact across academic, social, and emotional domains
An adaptable model that supports both individual growth and school culture
Next Steps:
Expand the program to feeder middle schools
Launch a Summer Leadership Bootcamp with internship pathways (Summer 2026)
Distribute a "Civility Coach" Toolkit to empower teachers
Scale March Mentor Moments as a district initiative
Continue tracking long-term impact through follow-up assessments
Expand staff for more efficient programming
