Leadership & Service in Youth Development

Discover the powerful story of the Mirabal Sisters, contemporary feminist martyrs who bravely opposed oppression in the Dominican Republic. Known as Las Mariposas, Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa fought tirelessly for justice, ultimately sacrificing their lives in 1960. Visiting their preserved home, now a museum, you’ll step into their world, learning about their courage and the profound impact of their resistance.

After this heavy experience, your Program Leader will guide you through a reflection session to dialogue and connect with your peers about the Mirabal Sisters’ legacy. Through these discussions, you’ll explore the importance of activism, leadership, and standing up for social justice. The visit concludes with a collaborative challenge to create a butterfly as a group, symbolizing resilience and unity. Working together, balancing on each other, or arranging on the ground, you’ll end the day with laughter and a sense of camaraderie.

This experience blends history, reflection, and teamwork, connecting past and present struggles for equality. You’ll leave inspired to reflect on your own role in creating positive change and shaping your future in leadership and social justice.

Celebrate the culmination of your community project as you reunite with local children and teens for a special closing event. This final day showcases the creativity, collaboration, and leadership developed throughout the program as participants and local youth present their project to families, community members, and organizational leaders. Whether through a performance, exhibition, demonstration, or interactive presentation, this event highlights the collective achievements of everyone involved.

Experience the pride of sharing what you have created together. As you reflect on the weeks spent collaborating, learning, and building meaningful relationships, you'll see firsthand how creativity and teamwork can strengthen community connections. The celebration provides an opportunity to recognize the contributions of every participant, honor the friendships formed, and applaud the dedication that brought the project from an initial idea to a successful final presentation. As you say goodbye to your new friends and community partners, you'll leave with lasting memories, valuable skills, and a renewed appreciation for the power of youth-led initiatives to inspire, connect, and create positive change.