Interview with Veronica Jennings from Special Olympics Virginia!

We're not the only YLC around! Check out this special highlight of the Special Olympics Virginia Youth Leadership Council (YLC) from Senior Director of the Potomac Region: Veronica Jennings. 

What is the overall goal and mission of Special Olympics?

We provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This gives them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

 

What does the SOVA YLC do?

The Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is a group of youth comprised of individuals with and without intellectual disabilities from across the state in grades 10th-12th grade. This group of inclusive student leaders work together throughout the year to educate, motivate, and activate youth to become agents of change in their communities and advocate for the respect, inclusion and acceptance of all people, regardless of abilities.

 

Why do you think youth leadership is important?

Inclusive youth leadership is important because it gives an opportunity for youth leaders to share why inclusion is important and how it can make a difference in the culture of their schools and community. Youth leaders are  change makers and will make our world more inclusive.  This is what want for the current and future generations!

 

What are some of your goals for the SOVA YLC?

Some goals for the YLC in the future is to expand our council membership. Through these students shared experiences we hope to inspire more Unified Champion School programs in schools throughout Virginia.

 

To learn more about our YLC, please follow our Instagram account @sova_youthleadership