The Federal Way Chamber of Commerce’s Advancing Leadership Youth (ALY) program kicked off its 2011-12 program year last week.

At the two-day opening retreat, 32 teens from seven schools identified their leadership styles, learned about economic development in Federal Way, went on a citywide scavenger hunt, met the mayor, heard from local business leaders, pitched their ideas for Federal Way tourism campaigns and talked about living their lives in ways that create a legacy for others.

Comcast in Washington state has renewed its partnership with Advancing Leadership Youth for the eighth consecutive year, contributing $7,500 to support ALY 2012’s One Day Federal Way, a team project that focuses the students’ leadership training on helping a targeted population in a significant way.

One Day Federal Way brought out over 300 volunteers (mostly teenagers) to provide major upgrades to three low-income schools, including extensive cleaning, interior painting and exterior landscaping. Comcast was the first company to partner with ALY, and thus far has contributed $172,000 plus donated media valued at $225,000.

GlobalScholar, a Bellevue-based education solutions company, is the newest ALY partner, contributing $5,000 to the program. GlobalScholar learned about Advancing Leadership though its work with Federal Way Public Schools, and saw a clear alignment between the program and its corporate focus on supporting comprehensive, lifelong learning that extends beyond classrooms.

Students in the ALY 2012 class will continue to meet monthly during the school year, addressing different topics each month, visiting different sites and working with over 100 leaders. For more information, visit www.advancingleadership.org.

(Photo and information courtesy of Amye Bronson-Doherty)