CLEVELAND, Tenn. (Oct. 27, 2009)—The 2009-10 Youth Leadership class, comprised of 24 juniors and seniors from Bradley Central, Cleveland and Walker Valley High Schools, raised more than $1,700 for Cleveland’s Habitat for Humanity construction fund this year as part of their service project. They also contributed “sweat equity” recently by volunteering on a construction site and at the Habitat ReStore.

“The Youth Leadership students continue to bless to Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland through raising funds to contribute to a Habitat build and also volunteering on the construction site and at our new ReStore,” Matt Carlson, executive director of the local Habitat affiliate, commented.

“Every year that Habitat works with these students, I’m amazed by their initiative and dedication to making a difference in the local community,” Carlson continued. “This type of community support and involvement from the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership group makes it easy to see that Cleveland has some incredible young people who are already stepping forward to be leaders in our schools and community.”

 “The students were challenged to be creative and come up with original ideas for raising funds at their schools,” explained Sherry Crye, director of workforce development. Fundraising projects included collecting funds at ballgames, a homeroom change war and a womanless beauty pageant.

“This project gives these students an opportunity to exhibit leadership skills by working as a team and choosing a captain for each team,” Crye added. “We are very proud of their efforts and their willingness to give back to their community.”

 Youth Leadership is a program of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce designed to prepare young people for leadership in Cleveland and Bradley County.

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