Hi! My name is Darien Hill, and 2019 was my first year on ELAB. Being on ELAB was the experience I never knew I needed. Being a participant in YEPAW gave me a family, but being on ELAB brought an entire new level of connection within my YEPAW family. We talked, laughed, cried, worked and grew together. I was stretched both spiritually and creatively during my first year. Because we are working with children who are from all walks of life, I learned sometimes I have to be sensitive with my approach but still relatable enough so that they feel safe in our space. In learning that, I was able to pour into young people the same way I was needing to be poured into, while doing the things I love most!

ELAB also allowed me to sharpen my leadership skills. When you’re in a position like ELAB, you are in front of people all day—both a privilege and a platform that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Daily, I would remind myself that there is probably someone watching me then ask myself, “What do I want them to see?” The choice was ultimately mine, and I had to choose to make excellence the center of my character not just for me, but for someone looking to me. Sometimes in the moment of doing all of the work that comes with being on ELAB, one could start to become weary and question if it’s even worth it. However, there is no better reward than the hugs and smiles from our participants telling us how much better we made their week, or how someone is their “favorite”, or how much we’ll be missed. It makes it all worth it.

When I joined Yepaw in 2012 I never imagined I would be on ELAB, I never imagined I would become the same person I was looking up to when I was 12. Although this was only my first year, knowing that I am making a difference in a person’s life, even if just for a week, makes ELAB the most incredible experience I’ve ever been a part of.

—DARIEN HILL, 2nd year ELAB, former YEPAW participant

Being a member of The Emerging Leaders Advisory Board (ELAB) was an unforgettable experience. It allowed me to truly develop into a leader amongst the participants and my peers while continuing to learn from those around me. Before becoming an Emerging Leader, I had been a YEPAW participant for 6 years. Auntie Leslie stood before us year after year to stress the idea of the DREAM. I always listened, but as a part of ELAB, I really had to live it. I had people watching me, and they deserved my best, my respect, excellence, a good attitude, and a heart to minister with the skills I had mastered.

During my three years on the team, I came to know the other Emerging Leaders as my family. We laughed together, we cried together, we conquered days of no sleep together. In our weekly meetings leading up to the workshop week, they brought things out of me that I didn’t even know I had. I then had the opportunity to pour all of these things back into the younger students. I came out of ELAB stronger. I came out of ELAB smarter. I came out of ELAB better. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities that being a member of ELAB gave me, and the person that I am because of the program. 

—LONDON HOLLINGER, ELAB Alumna, former YEPAW participant