YLF 5-Year Reunion  Five years later...   151 lives changed! Reunion Summary / Overview / Pictures

View the Reunion Summary

Click above to view the Reunion Summary.
Warning! A new window will appear. (see note below)

General Overview

The year 2001 seems so long ago to those who created the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum. At the time, no one knew how successful the program would be, if it would last to be held a second year, and especially if it would make lasting difference in the state. After the magic of that first year, it was evident that the YLF was a much needed program for the youth with disabilities in Kansas and that it would change lives for many years to come. Now, five years later, this prediction has surely held true as the YLF has continued to grow and exceed everyone’s expectations. The YLF has welcomed over 150 youth into its family over the past five years. Members of this family were reunited in January as they came together to celebrate growth amongst all of the alumni and look forward with anticipation to the future.

The KS YLF Five Year Reunion was held January 6-8 at the Holiday Inn in Salina. Thirty-one alumni, from all five years, attended the weekend retreat- five from 2001, four from 2002, four from 2003, seven from 2004, and eleven from 2005. The alumni participated in a variety of activities centered around catching up with old friends and making new friends. Participants were able to share what they have been doing in their lives since their time as a delegate (see pages 4-9). As alumni from each YLF year came to the front of the room, it became evident that change has occurred in many of the alumni. Most from the first and second year of YLF are either working full time or continuing their higher education. Those from YLF ‘03 and ‘04 are beginning their higher education or working on living independently. Alumni from this past YLF year have either recently graduated high school or are preparing for graduation. The entire group of participants have had a variety of experiences over the past few years- some have travelled, some have done presentations in the community, some are involved in extracurricular activities, some are involved with sports, some have gotten married, and some have continued to be involved with YLF in one way or another.

The reunion, sponsored by a grant from the Sunflower Foundation, also focused on obtaining feedback from the young adults, who were present, on a variety of topics. Three focus groups were assembled on the following topics: Education, Employment, and Healthcare issues. The alumni were placed into one of these three groups and were asked to brainstorm the topic and related areas of concern associated with that topic. They were also asked to fill out a survey concerning healthcare issues. The feedback and results were then compiled into an Executive Summary, as well as an Advocacy Tool, which will be available in June.

The alumni were also able to hear from speakers on a variety of topics. Steve Carrier, martial arts instructor from Lawrence, presented on Relationships and Dating, while Stephanie Sanford, independent living counselor at Prairie Independent Living Center in Hutchinson, empowered the alumni with her presentation on advocacy and letting your voice be heard. One of the most memorable moments of the weekend came with the dinner and dance on Saturday night. Past YLF volunteers were invited to the dinner to catch up with the alumni. Eleven past volunteers attended the dinner that night and were recognized for their ongoing devotion and time to the program. The infamous YLF dance was brought to the reunion and lasted until midnight as the alumni danced the night away.

As always, the true impact of the reunion happened during the down times throughout the weekend. It was in those times that old friends were able to reminisce and new friendships were being made all around. Alumni from ‘02 could be seen chatting with alumni from ‘05. Those from ‘03 and ‘04 could be seen hanging out at the swimming pool. Alumni from ‘04 and ‘05 were seen competing against each other in ping pong. Those from ‘01 and ‘02 could be seen sharing life experiences or helping other alumni. All in all, one thing was clear- YLF is a family. There are the big sisters and brothers, the little sisters and brothers, the class clowns, the talkers, the shy ones, the helpers, the musicians, the scientists, the athletes... but all are leaders on their own way. As leaders, they know their past, they are concentrating on the present, and they also look towards the future. The future was tucked inside each packet given out to the alumni. Sitting inside each pocket was one single YLF application ready to be passed on to future YLF delegates. That is evidence enough that the YLF flame will continue to burn brightly, not only in the alumni, but in the hundreds of youth who will be welcomed into the family for many years to come.

Pictures

NOTE: The Reunion Summary is in PDF format. You must have Adobe Acrobat to read PDF files. Download the free version by clicking on the logo below.