Bench Mark’s core purpose is to create a space where one generation of leaders can uplift the next. Since our inception in 2014, we have been instilling the value of community leadership in our students and mentors, but it wasn’t until last year, thanks to our success at the ExtraGive, that we officially launched our Student Leadership Program (SLP). In January, 2020 we invited Ntihemuka (Muka) and Johnny into our SLP’s inaugural class of leaders. Throughout the course of this year, despite all of the challenges that Covid has put in front of us, we are thrilled to report that both Muka and Johnny have graduated from the program. Both young men now work at Bench Mark as mentors to younger students, and Muka is attending a college gap-year program called OneLife while Johnny has secured a full-time job with our friend Brad Groff at River Valley Landscaping. Both are shining examples of what young leaders can achieve through SLP, and both have blazed the trail for the five additional student leaders currently enrolled in the program.
The Student Leadership Program is built around three levels of challenges that give students goals to achieve and coursework to complete before they can be considered for promotion into the next level of leadership training. Students who are in the program are motivated by increasing levels of responsibility and increasing compensation as they progress . Outside of Bench Mark Program’s proprietary leadership training coursework and increasing levels of responsibility in our Open Gym Program, through the Student Leadership Program, individuals learn how to interact with an employer (Bench Mark Program) and gather basic employment skills. What Muka and Johnny have taught us is that through the Student Leadership Program, we can instill the skills, work ethic, and knowledge that our student leaders need not just to make Bench Mark a better place, but to provide value to the Lancaster community and workforce as a whole.
All students entering into the Student Leadership Program at Level 1 must be 15 years old and have shown commitment to the organization through regular weekly attendance. Commitment means they must participate in our Open Gym and/or our Strength Based Skill Building Program and follow the basic rules of Bench Mark to ensure they’re setting a good example for others. As was the case with Muka and Johnny, we specifically seek out student leaders who display a propensity to help others in the gym, and uplift everyone’s spirits when they’re around. Those are the students who we approach with the opportunity to engage in our Student Leadership Program. The first level of engagement in SLP does not include compensation, but allows students to participate in weekly leadership training sessions and hopefully get them excited to achieve more in consideration of their next level of growth. Advancement into Level 2 of our leadership program is strictly optional.
Entry into Level 2 becomes available to student leaders after at least one month of committed engagement at Level 1 and a proven track record of being able to take direction from staff and an agreement to a specific job or role in the gym (ex. agreeing to assist the boxing coach with weekly classes). At Level 2, students are expected to do more at the gym, like help clean the space and organize equipment. Level 2 student leaders are also required to shadow a staff member in the gym so that they can learn essential mentoring techniques. Teaching Bench Mark’s essential mentoring techniques requires a significant investment on the part of our staff members. Most importantly, Level 2 student leaders are required to attend weekly enrichment activities designed to help them gather new leadership techniques and prepare for the next level of the student leadership program. These enrichment activities include (but are not limited to): leadership book club, group analysis of business case studies, working through Admired Leadership training (credit: CRA, Inc), authentic communication training, legal life skills training, financial literacy training, and workplace etiquette. Level 2 student leaders begin earning $8/hour for their time on the job, but in consideration of performance on the job and in school, they can earn up to a max of $12/hour. To climb the compensation ladder, Level 2 students must regularly be rated as “meets” or “exceeds” expectations (this occurs on weekly basis), must assist a certain number of students in resume writing, must help a certain number of students apply for jobs, must assist a certain number of students in goal setting, and must ultimately help a certain number of students achieve their stated goals.
The final stage of the Student Leadership Program is Level 3. This level entails traditional employment (full-time or part-time) at Bench Mark. Muka and Johnny are currently our Level 3 graduates. This highest level is available to students who have been through the first two levels and succeeded in Level 2 with an ability to display an impressive list of students served . Along with the duties that come with Level 2 student leaders, Level 3 leaders are expected to mentor up-and-coming Level 1 and 2 participants through the program and participate in (or lead) weekly enrichment activities. Level 3 student leaders are responsible for opening and closing the gym when needed, and if able, can transport other students to and from the facility. This level comes with additional monthly Leadership Enrichment Sessions to ensure that participants stay on track toward their goals and can provide feedback on their roles and the program. Participants at Level 3 are able to make between $12-15 dollars an hour, depending on performance.
At Bench Mark Program, we believe that investing in our students’ leadership skills is the best way to ensure their personal growth, multiply our impact, and sustain our organization. The launch of this Student Leadership Program was made possible by our successful 2019 Extra Give campaign, but in order to welcome up-and-coming leaders into the program, we need your continued support. Our projected fundraising need for one year of this program is just over $70,000. This year, through the ExtraGive on November 20th, you can help us empower a whole new class of student leaders from Bench Mark Program. There are five Bench Mark student leaders right now who need your support. Will you invest in them this year through the ExtraGive?