Launching the UCB Leadership Program

In the first year of the pilot program, leaders that completed our full UCB Learns and Leads cohorts developed their plans to address student debt, raise awareness about mental health, improve conditions of homeless shelters, and support families experiencing community violence. They presented their Public Narratives and calls to action at the launch of the Thomas J. Ruffen Community Leadership Fund in January 2023. The Fund is established in partnership with The Boston Foundation to invest initial funding support of up to $10,000 in our newly trained leaders who are proposing to turn their stories and passions into real projects and action.

During the summer of 2023, UCB Facilitates will relaunch with a new curriculum designed to train members on designing workshops as part of our new Community Stewards program. Leaders will be trained to offer workshops led by UCB Members for UCB Members that will be offered and thankful for being one of those selected to participate. I had an amazing experience and connected with some amazing individuals who I will consider partnering with in other programs going forward.

In 2023, the program continues to inspire our members to lead. The current cohort of UCB Learns began in January with UCB Leads being offered to participants who want to pursue developing their call-to-action into an event, program, activity, or the creation of a community organization.