KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Michigan State Police (MSP) are looking for 20 young women from the Kalamazoo area to participate in the 2023 Michigan Youth Leadership Academy (MiYLATM).
MSP officials say attendance is free to the participant and the goal of the program is to partner young women, ages 14-15, with officers from their hometown police department and MPS to help them learn how to become leaders in their communities, while increasing positive perspectives of law enforcement.
The four-day program will give female students a crash course covering various topics including water safety, nutrition, alcohol and drug awareness, gang awareness, domestic violence awareness, first aid, leadership, and public speaking.
Students also tour Michigan State University, the State Capitol, and participate in team-building and character-building exercises.
Students will be taken to and from the Michigan State Police Training Academy, in Lansing, beginning Sunday, June 11 and will return to Kalamazoo on Thursday, June 15.
To qualify, Kalamazoo County female students have to either reside within or attend school in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Township, and/or Comstock Township, or attend school within those communities.
Interested youth should contact Trooper Conner Mabie at 269-308-1567 or mabiec1@michigan.gov for more information.
The deadline to apply is Friday, May 19.
Additional information can be found online at https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/grantscommunityservices/prevention-services/michigan-youth-leadership-academy-miyla
