Youth Leadership Collier is specifically designed for rising high school seniors in Collier County. The one-week program features a weekend retreat, hands-on business and leadership experience, and behind the scenes sessions that provide students with a firsthand understanding of a variety of industries in Collier County.

“We are so proud of these young leaders that will represent the future of Collier County,” said Kristina Park, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber. “By going through this program, they all have outstanding perspectives that will not just build a future for them, but with them, ensuring it reflects their vision and aspirations.”

During the 2025 program, participants heard from a variety of elected officials and community leaders about the opportunities and challenges facing Collier County. Students participated in sessions focused on local government, the environment, agriculture, healthcare and human services, and commerce, arts and tourism. Speakers throughout the week included former state Sen. Garrett Richter, Collier Clerk of Courts and YLC founder Crystal Kinzel, NCH CEO Paul Hiltz and Sunshine Ace Hardware President Michael Wynn.

“Youth Leadership Collier will provide these students with the tools to become impactful leaders,” said Tiffany Lehman, chair of the Youth Leadership Collier program. “For me, Youth Leadership Collier is more than a program, it’s personal. Every year, we see the incredible transformation participants undergo and I’m deeply grateful that students have the opportunity to share their experiences with key business leaders in our community.”

Youth Leadership Collier Class of 2025 Graduates

The Leadership Collier Foundation Advisory Board and the Greater Naples Chamber congratulate the following Youth Leadership Collier Class of 2025 graduates:

• Jennifer Ariciaga, Golden Gate High School
• Sofia Babbitt, Barron Collier High School
• Leila Bender, Community School of Naples
• Victoria Birmingham, Gulf Coast High School
• Chloe Bourk, Aubrey Rogers High School
• Brody Dasari, Homeschool
• Thomas Diblasio, Mason Classical Academy
• Dalton Drosselmeier, Barron Collier High School
• Elayna Francway, Gulf Coast High School
• Savannah Hood, Naples High School
• Shanaya Goemaere, Community School of Naples
• Valerie Hernandez-Santos, Golden Gate High School
• Kaden Jenkins, St. John Neumann Catholic High School
• Kendra Keulerr, First Baptist Academy
• Ilya Knyazev, Mason Classical Academy
• Tobias Kopecny, Community School of Naples
• Shimon Levy, Community School of Naples
• Sarah Lindo, Immokalee High School
• Faith Lopez, Lorenzo Walker Technical High School
• Domenico Lucarelli, Aubrey Rogers High School
• Simone Markus, Gulf Coast High School
• Diana Martinez-Juarez, Immokalee High School
• Minerva Mendez, Lely High School
• Liliana Miloseska, Barron Collier High School
• Darren Nieves, Aubrey Rogers High School
• Vibhav (VJ) Nimmagadda, Gulf Coast High School
• Nikolai Pratasenia, Mason Classical Academy
• Danny Prospero, Homeschool
• Bridget Rojas, Lely High School
• Xenon Ruiz, Golden Gate High School
• Cameron Smith, Seacrest Country Day School
• Alara Timur, Aubrey Rogers High School
• Isabella Vargas, Palmetto Ridge High School
• Mia Vergara, Naples High School

Founded in 2005, Youth Leadership Collier is a program of the Leadership Collier Foundation, an affiliate of the Greater Naples Chamber that works to activate the potential of leaders to build a stronger Collier County through leadership programs, community education and resource building.

For more information about Youth Leadership Collier and the Leadership Collier Foundation, visit leadershipcollier.org. For more information about the Greater Naples Chamber, visit napleschamber.org.

About the Leadership Collier Foundation      

The Leadership Collier Foundation (LCF), of the Greater Naples Chamber, educates local business leaders about the societal and economic challenges facing the community today through the programs and initiatives it governs: Leadership Collier, Associate Leadership Collier, Youth Leadership Collier, The Emerging Leadership Council and Campaign for Leadership. Through the work of the LCF Alumni Association, graduates continue to build alliances, foster goodwill and civic trusteeship that will strengthen Collier County. The foundation also leads the Chamber’s initiative for work-based learning opportunities for local business and students supporting talent development.

About the Greater Naples Chamber

The Greater Naples Chamber is a nonprofit organization of more than 1,000 active members that works to strengthen the local economy and promote the business community. The Chamber accomplishes this through public policy and business advocacy, leadership programs, executive business forums and sessions, and enhanced member benefits and services. The Chamber is dedicated to cultivating economic opportunities for all.

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Although it’s true that our fur babies love the freebie organic snacks they can score at Earth Day celebrations around town (April 22 this year) and of course we all appreciate those biodegradable poop bags, WWOOF is short for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. It’s a program started in the 1970s by a secretary in London who missed her childhood vacations in the countryside. She worked with a local university to create a trial program where fresh-air-starved urban dwellers could volunteer at a small local farm for a few hours a day in exchange for a country weekend with tasty home-cooked meals. The idea took off, and half a century later it’s a worldwide movement to promote sustainable family-run farms. Today there are more than 12,000 hosts in 130 countries, from a pineapple farm in Hawaii to a dog and horse rescue farm in Texas to a lavender field in Provence. Way beyond helping to grow organic vegetables, the experiences are as broad as the imagination, from beekeeping and mushroom foraging to tending water buffalo and building earthbag homes. Luxury is not part of the experience: accommodations can range from rustic cabins and mobile homes to yurts and tents. Some farms are completely off the grid; others offer a room in the host’s home. WWOOFers can spend a week or two, or even months, coming away with new skills, extraordinary cultural insights, and maybe lifelong friendships. Hundreds of hosts welcome children, and many also accept pets. The best part? No money changes hands.

I confess that my one experience on a WWOOF farm spanned about four hours in the French countryside and mostly involved my very appreciative palate. I still can taste the banquet of homemade bread, cheeses, savory stews, garden vegetables, pastries, and wine from a local vineyard shared by the young owners, family members, and guest workers at a 15-foot-long trestle table in their picturesque barn-turned-bunkhouse. I occasionally surf the WWOOF websites and imagine trying it for real. Although tending water buffalo isn’t on my wish list, my fantasies run to harvesting bouquets of peonies, caring for baby goats, and foraging for mushrooms.

Here are some super cool family-friendly ideas I plucked from WWOOF.net and WWOOFusa.org.

Moloka’i

Hunt and Gather, Hawaiian Style

WWOOFers help grow and supply a fruit stand; hunt, fish, dive, and gather some of the world’s tastiest foods as they soak in the wisdom of the elders on one of Hawaii’s last tribally controlled islands.

Great Smoky Mountains

Build a Bat House, Do Mosaics

Pick your own project: rock bordering flower beds, bat house or birdhouse building, organic flower gardening, organizing workshop, sewing, mosaics. More comfy than typical, the cabins have kitchens, a library and movies. Stay a week or a few months. Woman-owned, pets accepted.

Norway

Gather Hay, Make Cheese, Pick Berries, Do Chores

A stunning mountainside family farm with goats, horses, chickens, and bees. WWOOFers share in all farm and family chores, including household and gardens. Pets accepted.

Ohio

Work on 19th Century Heritage/Survival Skills

This biodynamic farm is a WWOOFer family favorite, set in a re-created 19th century village with a 1960s vibe. It’s also a school that teaches skills like survival/homesteading, soap, candle, cheese and butter making; and foraging, plus a Waldorf-inspired farm school for homeschool kids. Hosts need help with gardening, carpentry, cow milking, and everyday chores. Accommodations are basic cabins and a teepee. Woman-operated. Pets accepted.

Tennessee

Blaze a Trail, Make Art, Tend the Magic Garden

This artist/philosopher/writer host seeks WWOOFers with practical skills, especially gardening. The payback, besides accommodation and food, includes a wildlife refuge and sculpture park, Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), a birding tower, sauna, woodworking shop, sacred beekeeping, plus a pottery wheel, painting and sewing materials, and all kinds of artmaking.

Alaska

Pick Peonies, Sleep in a Cute Log Cabin, Have Fresh Eggs Daily

For an easy introduction to WWOOFing, I love this family favorite. Besides my aforementioned attraction to peonies, I’d get to feed the chickens and rabbits, mulch the garden, practice pickling, and help build things. There’s a pool and fire pit, and the hosts generously lend their farm vehicle for exploring Alaska’s backcountry.

The post How to WWOOF: Sustainable Travel and Farm Volunteering for Families appeared first on SWFL Family.

“My parents have always been the first people to help someone in need,” Darren said. “Both my parents came from Puerto Rico and they didn’t come from the top. I have seen them work up the ranks. I have seen how hard they work. I definitely would not be able to do all the things I do without their support.”

His quest to help began last year when a friend was talking about non-profits, and Darren then learned more about non-profits through TikTok.

He started researching various organizations and was impressed by the work done by Meals of Hope and Make-a-Wish. Last year, Darren started a Meals of Hope club at Aubrey Rogers with the goal of rallying students to assist the organization.

“No other school has a club for Meals of Hope,” Darren said. “I planned every event we have done, recruited the volunteers, [and] created a board. I didn’t want this to just be me. I wanted to surround myself with people that can help me.”

Darren began organizing giant packaging days at Aubrey Rogers. More than 150 students and adults filled the cafeteria recently to weigh, sort, and package meals that went to 15 different area food pantries.

“This event packaged over 50,000 meals,” he said. “This is our biggest one.”

Previous events had volunteers packaging 10,000 and then 30,000 meals. Darren hopes to spark other local high schools to organize similar events and would like to put together a packaging competition among the schools.

Make-A-Wish

In January, Darren organized a charity event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation after being inspired by the organization giving a swimming pool to a girl in Cape Coral.

He planned and designed an event called Auctions for Wishes that is expected to raise about $15,000. He even corralled Ferrari, Porsche, and other big names to sponsor the silent auction.

All this takes a lot of time, so sometimes Darren opts to volunteer instead of going to football games or hanging out with his friends. But he says volunteering is just as much fun and much more satisfying. 

“This is actually fun,” he exclaimed. “It doesn’t feel like I am working. That is something people don’t realize. They think it is boring, but it is fun. [And] it is a great way of networking.”

Jennifer Adams, a science teacher at Aubrey Rogers, is the group’s advisor.

“I can’t overstate how much he has done for this group, how motivated he is, and how much he cares about what he is doing,” Adams stressed. “He has been the champion for this cause since the very beginning.”

July Vette, Meals of Hope community outreach manager, agrees.

“It is spectacular to see how a student had this initiative to create this club exclusively to help us feed families in need in Southwest Florida,” Vette said. “He has planned and run every event, and every time he brings more and more students to engage in our mission in the community. He is great at communication and organization and motivating other students and has more ideas for marketing and meal packing events.”

Reaching other students

Darren says he gets a lot of his ideas from TikTok.“Through TikTok is how all this really started,” Darren explained. “There are a lot of other people that run their own non-profits, and they tell you ways to market and fundraise. People think TikTok is all about negatives for students. Fortunately for me, things worked in my favor.”

Darren uses social media to gather volunteers and spark interest. An Instagram page he set up has about 400 followers. He uses Facebook and the school website too.

But his most effective recruitment technique is simply interacting with other students. “Today, I walked around the cafeteria and talked to people and I gained 15 people just from that.”

To ensure that his initiatives will continue when he leaves for college, Darren is recruiting younger students and training them to run the organization down the road.

“I want to have the foundation laid here at Aubrey so the current freshmen and sophomores can build on it when I am gone,” Darren explained.

His enthusiasm is infectious and has made it fairly easy for him to convince others to join his efforts.

“It feels great to know you are able to help people,” Darren concluded. “That is the reason for this; to make a difference in people’s lives. You get to see you are making a difference not just for the people getting the food but for the students who are packing the food.” 

The post The Collier County Teen Changing Lives Through Volunteerism and Charity Events appeared first on SWFL Family.

Finding the right family volunteer activities can be challenging. You may feel uncertain about what is expected and question whether your children can participate. It is important that your children feel comfortable where you volunteer, get inspired by the work you do, and enjoy themselves. Without these three components, our children won’t reap all the amazing benefits of volunteering.

When searching for the appropriate activity, consider the following priorities:

Project Focus 

Is there a particular cause your family is passionate about, such as feeding the unhoused, helping animals, or visiting the elderly? What interests, skills, and talents do your family members have? Do you prefer to be indoors or outdoors? Do you want to work directly with people? The options are endless, so it is important to narrow down your choices.

Organization’s Mission

Do your research before you sign up with a specific organization. Find out about the group’s history, goals and mission, leaders, and funding. Check its website, search online for press coverage, and visit sites like www.charitywatch.org and www.charitynavigator.org. If possible, ask a current or past volunteer about the pros and cons of the organization. Getting a referral from someone you know is the best option, especially because your children will be participating.

Location

Next, you will want to make sure you search for projects that are close to home so you do not have to drag your kids far to volunteer. Check your local paper, call charitable organizations, or search online for volunteer opportunities in your area.

Cost

Although rare, check to see if there are any fees to volunteer. You may also want to consider any other costs involved like travel, equipment such as certain clothing required, or requested products or monetary donations.

Time commitment

Decide how much time you have to volunteer. Start slowly and gradually increase your involvement. You may choose to volunteer with different organizations each time to expose your children to a variety of experiences.

Age ranges

Before committing to a project, check for any age requirements. It may take some hunting around, but you should be able to find age-appropriate options. Even babies can take part in nursing home visits, charity walks, and beach clean ups.

Activity expectations

Before you show up, find out exactly what you will be doing. Will there be heavy lifting involved? Will the project be a boring and repetitive task that will make your kids annoyed? Make sure the activity is something that your kids will actually enjoy before you invest your time.

Safety

No matter what, safety needs to come first when children are involved. You may want to avoid going to activities in neighborhoods that make you uncomfortable. Your kids may be scared to talk to strangers, so consider starting with familiar people and places. As they get older, you can start to venture out and expose them to more mature situations.

Fun factor

Choose projects that involve your children in a fun way, but also teach and inspire them. Avoid topics and activities that are too serious and sad for young children. Be sure to ask your kids afterward what they thought about the experience, and if they would be willing to do it again. 

For a list of SWFL non-profit organizations go to the list here

Sandi Schwartz is a mother of two and an award-winning author, and freelance journalist.

The post How to Choose the Best Volunteer Activities for Your Family appeared first on SWFL Family.

Several times a week, the high school sophomore volunteers at the stables. While NTRC has hundreds of volunteers, not many can do it all. Lucie leads horses and is also a sidewalker, an individual who walks alongside the horses to help riders who need assistance. She helps in the barn, cleaning the horses, feeding them, and cleaning the stables. Lucie recently became an arena assistant.

Volunteering at NTRC was a natural fit, given that Lucie lives in the neighborhood, takes riding lessons, and also volunteers for Special Olympics.

“My first time here, I had so much fun, and it made me love the place and the community,” she said.

During softball season, she can be at NTRC only once a week, but Lucie is at the stables three to four afternoons a week as soon as the season ends. In the summer, she volunteers for the camp program.

NTRC was born in 1997 as the Naples Equestrian Challenge. Its mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with physical, social, and mental health needs through therapeutic riding and other equine-related programs.

Beth Atherton, an instructor at NTRC, said Lucie does much more than most volunteers.

“She does everything,” Atherton said. “She even untacks and does the grooming and the cooling. [This] is an arena assistant [position]. It is really a leadership role.”

Lucie finds her volunteer work very rewarding.

“I love seeing the same riders each week and how much they progress,” she described. “Sometimes there are riders who come here, and they don’t talk. Then after a few weeks, they are interacting more, and it makes me feel so happy to see how they progress.”

The teen has many heartwarming stories from her time at the barn.

“There was this girl who had extreme anxiety. Once we got her on the horse, she had the biggest smile on her face,” Lucie said. “Even though it was a big hurdle to get her on the first time each week, she started getting on faster and faster, and she just had the best time. And she would do more and more every week. It was amazing.”

Lucie also enjoys volunteering with Special Olympics and plans to do it again this summer.

“One of my teachers suggested Special Olympics for service hours,” Lucie explained. “The first time I went, I was a little skeptical because I had never worked with kids with special needs before. But the moment I went there, I loved it. I loved working with them and seeing the smiles on their faces.”

Lucie is able to squeeze in all her volunteering, even with her busy schedule. The sophomore at Community School of Naples plays softball, takes horseback riding lessons once a week at M & H Stables in Naples, is a member of the planning committee for Special Olympics, and helps arrange alumni activities for Special Olympians. Lucie says she is very passionate about school and studying, in addition to spending time with her family and traveling. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Kindness Kids: Fifth Grader Helps Classmates Learn to Overcome Difficulties

Sophie Sherer’s Quest to Make Sure No Student Eats Alone

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