Youth Development & Mentoring

Empowering Cleveland’s Future Leaders

At NLI, we help young people uncover their voice, explore their strengths, and step confidently into leadership. Whether it’s mentoring 8th graders or guiding high school students through civic engagement, our programs are designed to grow bold, capable, and compassionate youth.

Middle School Mentorship with Impact

True2U Mentoring Program

Do you remember 8th grade? Did you know who you were and what you were going to be? The questions, the possibilities, the need for support and guidance? True2U is the hands-on volunteer program that connects adult mentors with a class of Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) 8th-grade scholars.

How It Works:

• Our dedicated True2U volunteer mentors work with a class of 8th-graders during their school day.
• Facilitate an engaging curriculum that helps scholars discover their strengths and interests and celebrate who they are.
• Through the seven True2U sessions, scholars build self-awareness, gain a better understanding of career pathways, and discover the opportunities available to them in high school and beyond.
• With the help of various partnerships, True2U supports the middle school aspect of the PACE Framework (Planning and Career Exploration) 

Workshops That Build Voice and Vision

Youth Leadership Cleveland (YLC)

Youth Leadership Cleveland is a dynamic leadership development program for high school students, created in partnership with the City of Cleveland.

Each year, five students from each of the city’s 21 rec centers are selected for this powerful opportunity. Through engaging workshops and real-world projects, participants explore their values, grow their skills, and lead in their own neighborhoods.

Program Highlights:

• Based on three pillars: Personal Values, Effective Communication, Conflict Resolution
• Youth lead community projects, peer trainings, and public art initiatives
• Builds confidence, connection, and capacity for long-term impact