Programs

Participants explore critical issues and discover priceless resources through a series of seminars and related activities. Interaction with key decision makers, experts, community leaders, and representatives of regional and local governments assists participants to better understand the forces that impact their business, community and daily lives. This networking is essential for effective leadership in today's business community. LHG believes the cooperative effort of well-informed citizens is the key to preserving and enhancing the quality of life that our residents enjoy.

Leadership Hendry and Glades Counties participants are representatives of the area's geographic business and ethnic mix.

The Class is limited to 25 participants.  Applications are submitted to a non-biased committee who will evaluate the applications and the top 25 will be invited to participate.  Once accepted into the program, a fee will be required to cover the program expenses.

To be considered, applicants must submit a completed application form to:
Hendry County EDC
P.O. Box 2518
LaBelle, FL 33975
Phone: (863) 675-6007
Email: olivia@hendryedc.com

Youth Leadership Hendry and Glades Counties (YLHG) is a Bi-County leadership program which consists of Sophomores and Juniors from 5 high schools.  The school principals choose the students that participate in the program.  The YLHG program is a direct commitment to, and investment in our aspiring and devoted youth.  Similar to the adult program in construct, the youth participants come together once a month (October-April) where the program focus is on developing leadership potential with the added goal of creating a stronger voice for the emerging workforce and leaders of our community.

YLHG is designed to develop leadership potential and acquaint the participants with our community's available resources, obstacles and requirements for the future.  The opportunity to learn about our counties is accomplished through a combination of classroom education, on-site interaction with community leaders and decision makers, as well as unique hands on experience.  The participants are interviewed via seminars and field study activities on topics such as:

Team Building
Water & Environment
Tourism and Government
Agri-Business
Business & Financial
Civic & Community Service

Students may apply through their career counselor at their local high school.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation, Inc. of Lake Wales, Florida.     www.floridasnatural.com

The Alumni Association is an active part of our LHG program. They are provided with opportunities to continue the commitment to Hendry and Glades Counties by engaging in various community projects.

As a graduate of Leadership, the Alumni contribute to the success of this program through continued commitment to make Hendry & Glades Counties the best places to live, work, learn and play.

The Alumni Association was created as an organization, whose goal is to continue the mission of the program beyond the monthly educational sessions. In the past the LHG Alumni Association adopted a philanthropic approach and developed a reading program, provided volunteers to assist with EDC and Leadership functions, and facilitate socials.

This year’s project, selected by the active Alumni members, is to help create a volunteer base to Revitalize Clewiston’s Downtown. As such they have decided to run a Saturday Market one day a month November thru February, volunteering their own time where the goal is to have the community of Clewiston come together and make it an annually recurring market, therefore bringing the community together in the Clewiston Downtown District.

For more information on the Leadership Hendry & Glades Counties Alumni Association, please email olivia@hendryedc.com.