OneWorld Now Leadership
Where Youth LEAD with Shared Purpose
At OneWorld Now, we believe every young person can be a leader. Our after-school Leadership Program provides high school students with the tools, confidence, and support to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
When you join the program, you become part of a diverse community that cares about justice, culture, and impact. This is a space where everyone’s voice matters. We ask big questions, have honest conversations, and work together to find real solutions. We are excited to hear what YOU will bring to the table.
What You Will Learn
Our credit-bearing program is built around four main learning areas. Each one helps you grow as a kind, thoughtful, and confident leader.
What Is a Leader?
You will explore what leadership really means. It is not just about being in charge. It is about listening to others, understanding differences, and knowing yourself.
Themes: Cultural awareness, empathy, positive identity, understanding your place in the world
Goals:
- Grow empathy and care for others
- Understand leadership as both a mindset and an action
- Learn how your identity connects to power and how you show up in the world
Leading Yourself
Before you can lead others, you need to understand yourself. You will explore mindfulness, set personal goals, and think about your background and how it shapes your views.
Themes: Emotional awareness, mindfulness, goal-setting, reflection
Goals:
- Become more confident in who you are
- Practice building resilience
- Understand how privilege and power shape life experiences
Leading with Action
You will learn how to take a stand for what matters to you. We will explore issues like human rights, climate action, and racial equality. You will find ways to turn your ideas into real steps that help your community.
Themes: Civic engagement, social justice, fairness, taking action
Goals:
- Understand how to make a difference
- Learn how to lead in fair and inclusive ways
- Explore what community leadership looks like in everyday life.
Sharing Your Leadership
Leadership takes practice. In this part of the program, you will sharpen your communication, organizing, and problem-solving skills. You will get better at speaking up, thinking critically, and working with others.
Themes: Public speaking, teamwork, intercultural communication, critical thinking
Goals:
- Become more confident sharing your thoughts with others
- Listen deeply and think clearly
- Inspire people to care about local and global issues
Peer Learning with Pod Leaders
Students who complete one full year of the Leadership Program can apply to become Pod Leaders. Pod Leaders are returning students who help co-facilitate and support the weekly workshops. They help guide small group discussions, lead team-building activities, and make sure everyone feels welcome and heard.
Pod Leaders work closely with program staff and play a big role in shaping the learning space. It is a great next step for students who want to deepen their leadership skills and give back to the OneWorld Now community.
Your Big Moment: Get Global
Powered by Our Community
We believe leadership grows stronger through connection and teamwork. That is why we work closely with local partners who care about the community. These partners visit workshops to give students real-life learning experiences and chances to meet people who are making change every day.
Here are some of our partners:
- Gates Foundation Discovery Center
- Museum of History and Industry
- CIDBIA (Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area)
- Powerful Voices
- The Vera Project
- FIUTS (Foundation for International Understanding Through Students)
- Chong Wa Benevolent Association
- Hunger Intervention Program
- OneAmerica
- Huayruro
- Nurturing Roots
- Wing Luke Museum
- University of Washington: Center for Child and Family Wellbeing
Ready to Lead?
This is your chance to grow, speak up, and take action. Join the OneWorld Now Leadership Program and become part of a movement of young people leading with heart and purpose.
When and Where
We meet on Fridays at 5:00 PM. You can join us in person or online. Registration for the program opens up in the Fall.
| Cohort | Location | Dates | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
In-Person Cohort | Franklin High School (Room 320) 3013 S Mt Baker Blvd Seattle, WA 98144 | Semester 1: October 30, 2026 November 13, 2026 December 11, 2026 January 15, 2027 January 29, 2027 February 12, 2027 Semester 2: March 5, 2027 March 19, 2027 April 2, 2027 April 23, 2027 May 7, 2027 May 21, 2027 June 4, 2027 | Alternating Friday’s 5:00pm – 6:30pm Pacific Time |
Virtual Cohort | Online via Zoom | Semester 1: October 23, 2026 November 6, 2026 December 4, 2026 January 8, 2027 January 22, 2027 February 5, 2027 Semester 2: February 26, 2027 March 12, 2027 March 26, 2027 April 9, 2027 April 30, 2027 May 14, 2027 May 28, 2027 | Alternating Friday’s 5:00pm – 6:30pm Pacific Time |
A shorter version of this program is also offered during the four-week Global Citizen Summer Language Program. It is a great way to explore leadership in the context of global languages.