Mission, Vision and History

MISSION

NTLP is committed to create positive environments that empower, inspire and educate all teens to discover and maximize their unique leadership potential and embrace the diversity and equal value of everyone.

VISION

Developing the leader within every teen today — for a better world tomorrow.

CORE VALUES

The Core Values of our organization is what we are
and what we cherish.

NTLP’s Core Values leave a priceless IMPACT and
drive everything we say and do:

Inclusion and sense of belonging — Creating a network that supports Alumni to foster an environment that allows teens to find common ground, embrace their differences and maximize their full leadership potential.

Make your Legacy — Building a self-sustaining and perpetual legacy of positive social change by empowering teens to dream big, think broadly, and build upon who they are in order to consciously and purposefully impact their communities.

Proven Excellence — Having a great sense of pride in who we are and what we believe in, always striving for the highest personal and collective achievement in all endeavors, and never sacrificing our commitment to excellence for expediency or convenience.

Acceptance of Everyone — Truly appreciating and valuing the differences in everyone regardless of their religious/spiritual, ethnic/racial or social background, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or other characteristic.

Caring for Others — Treating all with compassion and empathy, teaching others to do the same, and creating a secure and supportive physical and emotional environment for those under our care.

Teens are our Future — Our undeniable belief that all teens hold the key to our future; helping them, supporting them and sharing their stories so they can make a positive impact in their families, communities and our world.

BRIEF HISTORY

NTLP was created in 1992 with just 185 teens attending. Now, twenty years later, NTLP has provided positive and inspiring three-day leadership camps, full-day workshops and follow-on alumni activities for over 9,500 teens. Programs have been held in California, Arizona, Washington and Texas. Over $160,000 in scholarships have been awarded to deserving young achievers and several strong community relationships have been forged including our fifteen-year partnership with the California National Guard.

In 2008, NTLP began providing one-day leadership retreats for high school-age dependents of our servicemen and women in the armed forces and in 2010, NTLP hosted its first full day Diversity workshop to over 150 students, parents, teachers and community youth workers. The response was so positive, NTLP plans to make the program an annual event.

NTLP’s three-day, intensive leadership camps are held on college campuses to expose attendees to higher education and includes motivational speakers, leadership exercises, small group sessions, interactive workshops, interviews with business professionals and a recognition ceremony; all coordinated by NTLP alumni who volunteer and pay their own way for the privilege of motivating the next generation of future leaders.

When students leave an NTLP program, they have a focus and a vision for their future. They are more energized to become involved in their schools and communities and are more tolerant and open-minded of those around them. The program challenges and empowers today’s youth by providing them with the skills and motivation necessary to positively impact their own lives and the lives of those in their communities.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

In today’s world where start-ups have a difficult time lasting 5 years and most fail within 10, NTLP’s 20-year milestone is impressive. Over 9500 youth have experienced NTLP programs and literally hundreds stay a part of our organization long after their high school experience. Each year 35 to 40 alumni, from as far back as our 1992 program, return at their own expense to staff our conferences and mentor and motivate the next generation of future leaders. Eleven college-graduate alumni are active Board Members.

In 2002, Director Laura Segura carried the Olympic Torch in honor of the work done by NTLP and in 2006 NTLP was awarded the Excellence in Education Award from Senator Barbara Boxer. In 2009 NTLP was offered a $25,000 Challenge Grant to provide seed money to assist with the national expansion of the program. That goal was exceeded by the contributions of over 260 alumni, parents and friends of the National Teen Leadership Program, in just under three months.

It’s NOT just a weekend…it’s your legacy!