Service Leadership Programs For Youth

Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs (SLP) are leadership and character-building programs hosted in a school or community agency and sponsored by a Kiwanis club. Service Leadership Programs have existed since the first Key Club (high school level) was founded in 1925. Since then, millions of students have been inspired to lead lives of service and significance through programs for all ages. There are different programs for different ages, elementary school through university.

Kiwanis K-Kids

includes three programs for elementary school students between the ages of 6 and 12. In each, the lessons of leadership and self-development are introduced through learning to plan, setting goals, working with others, and celebrating successes. The programs are broken into three components: service, character education, and academic achievement.

Builders Club

is the largest service organization for middle school students (ages 12 to 14), and is student led. Community-based Builders Clubs also may be established at community facilities such as churches and libraries.

Key Club International,

the largest high school service organization in the world, empowers its members to lead and serve by cultivating leadership skills, developing friendships, and performing community service. Key Club members have a passion for helping others and gain leadership skills they will carry with them for a lifetime.

Circle K International

(CKI) is the premier collegiate and university community service, leadership development, and friendship organization in the world. Circle K clubs are organized and sponsored by a Kiwanis club on a college or university campus. CKI is a self-governing organization and elects its own officers, conducts its own meetings, and determines its own service activities. CKI blends community service and leadership training with the opportunity to meet other college students around the world.

Kiwanis Aktion Club

is the only community-service club for adults living with disabilities. Aktion Club allows members to develop initiative and leadership skills in serving their communities while enabling their integration into society. Kiwanis Aktion Club originated in Florida in 1987 and was adopted as an official sponsored program of Kiwanis International in 2000.

Throughout the years the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor has sponsored Service Leadership Programs. Currently we sponsor four service leadership programs. A large Circle K Club at the University of Michigan, a Key Club at Huron High School, a K-Kids Club at Angell Elementary is starting, and a very active Aktion Club for adults who live with a disability.