FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: United Way of Southwest Virginia Launches Youth Action in Local Leadership (YALL) Program to Empower the Next Generation of Civic Leaders
ABINGDON, VA – July 1, 2026 – United Way of Southwest Virginia (UWSWVA) is proud to announce the launch of Youth Action in Local Leadership (YALL), a new year-round leadership and civic engagement initiative designed to empower middle and high school students across Washington, Smyth, Russell, and Grayson counties. Funded through an IMPACT grant from Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia, the program will provide young people with meaningful opportunities to develop leadership skills, understand local government and democratic processes, engage directly with community leaders, and create positive change through youth-led projects that address real community needs.
Southwest Virginia's rural communities are rich in resilience, innovation, and community pride. However, many young people have limited access to structured opportunities that connect them to civic life, leadership development, and community decision-making. YALL was created to bridge that gap by helping youth discover their voice, understand their role in shaping the future, and build the confidence needed to become engaged citizens and leaders.
"At United Way of Southwest Virginia, we believe that investing in young people is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our region," said Megan Parks, Executive Director of United Way of Southwest Virginia. "Through YALL, students will gain real-world leadership experience, develop a deeper understanding of civic responsibility, and learn that they have the power to influence positive change in their communities today. We are incredibly grateful to Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia for their partnership and shared commitment to developing the next generation of leaders."
Sean McMurray, Executive Director of Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia, added, “We are thrilled to support the Youth Action in Local Leadership Program. The creation of this program will give youth in our region opportunities to engage in leadership activities within their communities. This initiative aligns well with the mission of the Foundation and will help build the next generation of local leaders.”
The Youth Action in Local Leadership program is built around three key pillars:
Youth Leadership Development – Strengthening communication, teamwork, problem-solving, confidence, and leadership capacity.
Civic Engagement & Democracy Education – Helping youth understand government, public policy, civic responsibility, and democratic participation through hands-on learning experiences.
Community-Based Projects & Local Impact – Empowering youth to identify local challenges and design projects that create meaningful, measurable change in their communities.
Throughout the year, participants will engage in monthly leadership workshops, civic education sessions, mentorship opportunities, government tours, public meeting observations, leadership roundtables, and community service initiatives. Youth will have the opportunity to interact directly with elected officials, county administrators, school board members, nonprofit leaders, first responders, economic development professionals, and business leaders.
A signature component of the initiative will be the Annual Regional Youth Leadership & Democracy Summit, bringing together participants from all four counties to present their projects, collaborate with peers, and learn from community leaders from across Southwest Virginia. The initiative seeks to strengthen civic participation, build future leadership pipelines, and ensure that youth voices are included in conversations that shape the future of the region.
By fostering partnerships among schools, local governments, nonprofits, businesses, families, and community organizations, YALL will create a sustainable framework for youth engagement and leadership development that can benefit Southwest Virginia for years to come. Organizations, schools, community leaders, and local governments interested in partnering with YALL are encouraged to contact United Way of Southwest Virginia to learn more about participation opportunities.
Media Contact:
Megan Parks, Executive Director
United Way of Southwest Virginia
United Way of Southwest Virginia fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Southwest Virginia because they are the building blocks for a good quality of life. United Way convenes cross-sector partners to make an impact on the most complex problems in our region. Through collaboration with government, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals, United Way innovates for positive, lasting social change. With a footprint that covers more than 20% of the state of Virginia, United Way of Southwest Virginias serve the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe, and the cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton, and Radford.