ABOUT
Young Influencers are leaders. They are youth between the ages of 7-17 who will impact their world for Jesus. We exist to teach leadership, preach the word of God, and reach our peers by showing God’s love and being living examples of how He created us.
The Young Influencers Foundation trains, leads, guides, encourages, empowers, and celebrates youth to use their gifts and talents to demonstrate leadership without compromising their faith. The YIF was founded in 2019 and became a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization in 2025.
OUR MISSION
The Young Influencers Foundation is dedicated to training youth between the ages of 7-17 to become godly leaders who positively impact their world. Our mission is built on the concept of the Seven Pillars of Society: Business, Education, Entertainment, Community, Government, Media, and Technology. These key areas are vital for a thriving community, and we empower youth to influence these spheres while staying true to their faith.
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.”
Proverbs 29:2a
OUR CORE VALUES
Excellence – Doing our best work. Striving for high standards and continuous improvement.
Teamwork – Collaborating effectively with others.
Love and Compassion – Treating others with kindness, empathy, and God’s love.
Faithfulness – Staying committed to our Christian beliefs.
Integrity – Living a life of moral uprightness.
Perseverance – Persisting through challenges and setbacks.
Service to Others – Focus on the well-being of others through charitable work.
OUR VISION
Develop leadership skills.
Apply what we have learned.
Volunteer to help our communities.
Collaborate with others to learn from their experience while sharing our capabilities so that all benefit from the encounter.
Effectively minister to youth and adults through annual outreach and other events.
Develop youth to use their gifts and talents to influence their world
Develop YI merchandise to help support the vision.
Establish a social media presence.
Create engaging online programs that are influenced by the 7 pillars of Society.
Establish additional Young Influencer leadership groups in other states and countries.
Recruit new members who support our mission and vision.
THE PROBLEM
Statistics indicate that young people participating in faith-based leadership programs report higher levels of civic engagement and leadership as they transition into adulthood.
In contrast, data suggest that youth involved in non-faith-based programs generally experience lower success rates than those in faith-based initiatives.
Research conducted by Education Northwest highlights that faith-based programs provide youth with a sense of purpose and community, which enhances their ability to overcome challenges and make positive life choices.
Furthermore, findings from the Brookings Institute indicate that faith involvement in leadership programs is a significant predictor of youth escaping poverty, crime, and other social challenges, making faith-based initiatives particularly effective in urban and high-risk areas.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the metro Detroit area has approximately 165,000 youth, of whom 30% (about 50,000) live in poverty. The high school dropout rate in Detroit stands at 23%. When including homeless youth, those with mental health issues, and those involved in criminal activity, it is estimated that 20-25% of youth in the metro Detroit area are considered at-risk. These figures represent young people who are currently not engaged in any leadership programs, highlighting the need for expanded efforts in leadership training initiatives.
THE SOLUTION
We are dedicated to training youth to be leaders who get involved in business, education, entertainment, community, government, media, and technology.
Our “Youth in Action” program is designed to train and develop leadership skills in areas such as communication, decision-making, strategic thinking, and team building. The program equips young people with the essential skills to overcome systemic obstacles and improve their life trajectories. Through various activities, volunteer opportunities, and community partnerships, participants will gain practical experience and make a positive impact.
The “Youth in Action” Program will provide guest speaker series, service-learning projects, peer-led training, and project-based learning.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
We don’t just train youth to be leaders; we also provide them with opportunities to positively impact society by actively engaging them in their communities and creating channels for peer influence.
