John Perkins Center

Community Partners: UYLA

UYLA Programs

As an initiative of the John Perkins Center at SPU, the Urban Youth Leadership Academy (UYLA) builds leadership capacity in urban youth through these programs and more:

Urban Roots: Summer Leadership Institute
Something amazing happens when urban youth come together to think and dialogue about their future as leaders! Find out how you can become a part of it — and make a difference!

Youth Outreach Interns
Each summer, we invite young leaders — most of whom have participated in Urban Roots as high school students — to participate in the Urban Roots “learning lab” and training program.

Summer Leadership Retreat
Find out why the Summer Leadership Institute closes at SPU’s Camp Casey.

Middle School and High School Leadership Development
Each fall, UYLA partners with Seattle area schools to establish in-school leadership development programs.

Uniquely Equipped for Ministry

Leadership retreat at Camp Casey Urban youth are uniquely equipped for global-urban ministry. They grow up in multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual contexts. They know how to navigate systems that are not necessarily “user friendly.” They have an inherent sense of the value of community.

In partnership with local churches, organizations, and schools, UYLA provides leadership development and training encouraging multicultural youth and young adults to engage in their communities, pursue higher education, and serve in the global urban context perpetuating the cycle of community development.