STLF Fact Sheet

•STLF began on September 18, 2003 as four college freshmen sat in a dorm room dreaming of a way to make a difference. Since that day, STLF has engaged over 5,000 young people in service and leadership experiences, leaving a lasting impact on individuals and communities across the country

•STLF was founded by Irene Fernando, Nick Lindberg, Brian Peterson and Greg Tehven. Currently, Fernando, Peterson and Tehven serve as Co-executive Directors of STLF

• Mission: To reveal leadership through service, relationships, and action.

•Vision: To energize generations of student leaders.

•STLF currently has a full-time staff of six, but is a volunteer-driven organization, having given nearly 800 student leaders responsibility and meaningful leadership roles with more to come in the future.

•STLF has two main programs in which it engages young people: the Pay It Forward Tour and the High School Leadership Camp

•The Pay It Forward Tour is a multi-day, multi-city community service road trip. This traveling leadership experience focuses on service, education, reflection, and a commitment to action.

•The High School Leadership Camp offers a more intensive leadership and personal development experience, where leaders are focus on developing transferable personal and leadership skills.

•In the 2008-2009 fiscal year, STLF gave over $24,000 in scholarships so that students can participate in programs regardless of their background or resources.

•A recent report from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Commission on Out-of-School Time provides a compelling case for the need for positive youth programming such as that provided by STLF. The report states, “High-quality programs help young people develop the capacity for becoming engaged in society and making a positive difference in their communities.”