Events

Young Leaders Organizing Institute (OI)

Each year, empowering the 1 in 5 begins with training our young leaders.

The OI is a week-long intensive training program held at the University of Denver where our Chapter Leaders build leadership skills through workshops, community building, and working with leading role models from the national stage. We train our Chapter Leaders to lead their local school chapters and to build an empowered community. Learn more about The Organizing Institute in this 2022 news feature on Denver Local News

An Inclusive Community, A Profound Impact

At the OI, young leaders learn to…

  • ● Lead effective Eye to Eye chapters and provide training and guidance for mentors nationwide
  • ● Inspire young people with learning differences and provide them with concrete examples of what it looks like to be successful as a different learner
  • ● Connect with other students (and partners and Alumn’Eye) to form a strong part of the Eye to Eye community
  • ● Support individuals in their personal journey toward self-advocacy and empowerment and to become voices for change in their own communities

And what our young leaders give each other … Community.

For some, it is the first time they truly feel part of a community that values them and their ability to learn differently. Friends become like family, and Chapter Leaders remark at what a life-changing experience it is to work alongside hundreds of individuals just like themselves. Everyone celebrates their unique differences while sharing the desire to make life better for every member of society who learns differently.

What's it like at the OI?

Chapter Leaders Share Their OI Experience

2021 Virtual OI Recap

2022 OI Recap

At the OI, our attending students discover their leader within. They also discover community, and all the students need that ally-that support system. Seeing that firsthand at the OI has changed the way I work.

—Jenny Krause, Education Program Leader at Wyoming Department of Education

It was so so amazing. One of the best things about the OI is getting time to talk to people and meet new people. In particular, I had a lot of really good conversations with other Chapter Leaders about our chapters and how to improve them.

—Julia, University of Pittsburgh

National Leaders Inspire With Their Stories of Learning Differently

Each year, national leaders, celebrities, and influencers kick off the OI and share words of inspiration for the incoming Chapter Leaders.

California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom addresses the Young Leaders Organizing Institute.
Colorado Senator Michael Bennet shares his story and welcomes our young leaders.
Jewell Loyd’s Message to the Young Leaders Organizing Institute

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