Find your voice. Connect across differences.
Student United Way - Dialogue leadership partners with schools and community organizations to help high school students strengthen communication skills and learn how to bring people together across different perspectives.
Through interactive activities and guided discussions, you'll practice active listening, navigate challenging conversations, and build the confidence to communicate with empathy and respect- in school, at work, and in everyday life.
As you develop your skills, you'll have the opportunity to take on a leadership role by helping facilitate meaningful dialogue and, for students who choose to continue into the advanced level, participate in a student-led Community Dialogue Summit.
No previous leadership or public speaking experience is required. Whether you're naturally outgoing or more reserved, every student has a valuable voice and perspective to share.
Student United Way is an opportunity to build skills you'll use for life and help create understanding in your school and community.
Students will gain:
- Strong communication and active listening skills
- Leadership and facilitation experience
- Strategies for navigating conflict and difficult conversations
- Greater confidence, critical thinking, and empathy
- Volunteer and community service hours
- Real-world experience that builds skills for life and strengthens college, scholarship, and career applications
How Dialogue Leadership works:
Unlike the Next Generation Philanthropy pathway, Dialogue Leadership is currently offered in partnership with schools and community organizations. Student United Way facilitators bring the program directly to existing youth groups, classrooms, after-school programs, faith communities, and other school organizations.
Program schedule, location, and session frequency are customized to fit each partner organizations' needs.
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Dialogue & Leadership is designed for high school students. The program is currently offered through partner schools, youth organizations, faith communities, and other existing youth programs.
At this time, Dialogue Leadership is offered through existing youth groups rather than individual enrollment. If you're interested in participating, encourage your school, youth organization, or community group to contact us to learn more about bringing the program to their students.
Yes! We partner with schools, youth organizations, after-school programs, faith communities, and other organizations serving high school students. Our facilitators work with you to customize scheduling and delivery to fit your existing programming.
The curriculum is organized into three learning units:
- Unit 1: Foundations of Dialogue
- Unit 2: Dialogue in Challenging Conversations
- Unit 3: Dialogue Leadership & Facilitation
Each unit includes three interactive sessions. Students who complete Units 1 and 2 may choose to continue into the optional Leadership & Facilitation unit, where they further develop facilitation skills and help lead a culminating community dialogue experience.
Scheduling is flexible and depends on the partner organization. Sessions may be offered weekly, biweekly, or incorporated into an existing class, club, or youth program.
Student United Way facilitators bring the program directly to participating schools and community organizations.
No. Thanks to community support and grant funding, there is currently no cost for participating organizations or students.
Students will build practical skills including:
- Active listening
- Communication
- Leadership
- Conflict management
- Perspective-taking
- Critical thinking
- Facilitating respectful conversations
- Building trust across differences
No. Dialogue is different than debate. Students learn to listen with curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, communicate respectfully, and better understand different perspectives- not to "win" an argument.
Dialogue is a way of communicating that focuses on understanding rather than persuading. Students practice listening, asking questions, sharing their own experiences, and exploring different perspectives with respect and curiosity.
No. Students are always invited- but never required- to share personal experiences or viewpoints. The program emphasizes respect, choice, and creating a welcoming environment where everyone can participate comfortably.
Yes. Dialogue Leadership can complement classroom learning, leadership programs, advisory periods, clubs, after-school programming, and other educational experiences. We work with educators to determine the best fit for their students.
Our current focus is serving high school students through community partnerships. If you're interested in bringing Dialogue Leadership to an adult group or workplace, we'd be happy to hear from you.
Yes! Strong communication and leadership skills are valuable in every career. Students gain experiences they can include in college, scholarship, internship and job applications while developing skills that employers and colleges consistently value.
Check out our Student United Way Pathway Comparison Guide to help you decide which pathway is for you.