Teen Leadership Corps

Gather your friends to give a boost to your community

Leadership skills are an advantage you’ll have for a lifetime. Cradles to Crayons’ Teen Leadership Corps (TLC) offers inspiring programs for middle and high school students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities.

Applications for the 2026 Spring Session are now closed.

Applicant decisions will be announced on Monday, February 9, 2026. If you are interested in joining a future session, please click the button below and fill out our form! You will be notified in May when the applications open for the Summer Session. For additional details, please email Anna Fantozzi at afantozzi@cradlestocrayons.org

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2026 Spring Session Schedule

Applications Open: Friday, January 16, 2026
Applications Close: Friday, January 30, 2026
Applicant Decisions Announced: Monday, February 9, 2026
New Participant Orientation (in-person): Saturday, March 7, 2026
Project Orientation: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Leadership Workshop: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Wrap-Up Presentations: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Volunteer Shifts (in-person): Each TLC member must complete two volunteer shifts in The Giving Factory in Newton. Upon acceptance to the program, members will have a variety of dates/times to choose from for their volunteer shifts.

About the Teen Leadership Corps (TLC)

Middle and High school students serve as ambassadors for Cradles to Crayons, while developing leadership skills in the areas of community organizing and volunteer service. Participating students commit to approximately 15-25 hours per session. Responsibilities include:

Supporting The Giving Factory staff during two volunteer shifts.
Increasing awareness of our mission by hosting a product collection drive or fundraiser in your own community.
Participating in an orientation, leadership development workshop, and giving a wrap-up presentation of their project outcomes.
Becoming an effective leader while developing new skills.

The TLC program runs for three sessions a year: Spring (March–May), Summer (June–August), and Fall (October–December).

““Through my time in the TLC, I’ve not only deepened my understanding of the work Cradles to Crayons does but have also been able to enhance my leadership and service skills. This experience showed me how big of an impact can be made if many people rally together behind a cause. Overall, my journey with Cradles to Crayons has been incredibly rewarding, teaching me not just the value of giving back, but also the importance of empathy, resilience, and collaboration.”” – Fall 2024 TLC Member