Program Highlights for PALS at FIU:

• Interactive College Simulation: Experience a week-long immersive program that mirrors real college life. Workshops are led by college professors, advisors, and community organizations. 
• Peer Leadership: Trained high school students step into roles as Junior Counselors, guiding peers and fostering leadership skills. 
• Mentorship by College Students: Gain insights and support from college students who serve as Sr. Counselors and mentors, sharing their academic and personal experiences.
• Workshops on Critical Life Skills: Civic engagement, personal branding, healthy relationships, self-esteem, gender and orientation, empathy, public speaking, team-building, and college preparedness.
• Inclusive Environment: PALS is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive community, emphasizing inclusivity and mutual respect. Our activities are designed to create safe spaces where everyone can freely express themselves and feel valued.

Focus Areas:

• Leadership and Social-Emotional Learning: Develop empathy-based leadership styles and enhance self-awareness through activities like role-playing and emotional intelligence workshops.
• Effective Communication: Engage in exercises to boost verbal and non-verbal communication skills, emphasizing conflict resolution and inclusive public speaking.
• Mental Wellness and Personal Empowerment: Prioritize mental health through workshops aimed at building resilience, managing stress, and navigating personal challenges.
• College Preparedness: Tailor a day for College and Career readiness where youth interact with college advisors to explore majors, learn from financial aid officers about FAFSA, loans, and grants, and gain insights from college students during panels on the application process, utilizing the Common App portal, and navigating housing options.
• Life and Social Skills: Focus on developing practical life skills and social abilities through interactive sessions that cover topics from interpersonal relationships to self-care and boundary setting.
• Impact of Social Media on Mental Health and Wellness: Explore the influence of digital platforms on mental well-being with sessions on managing online presence, reducing screen time, and understanding social media’s effects on self-esteem and relationships.

Networking and Social Activities:

• Hands-on Activities: Participate in art therapy, enjoy a relaxing time at the pool, vision board creation, a self-defense class, and engage in outdoor team-building exercises.
• Social Events: Join in on karaoke nights, movie evenings, a talent show, and an exciting themed prom.
• Creative Workshops: Create personal vision boards and partake in interactive sessions on various topical issues, enhancing personal and community connections.

Awards and Acknowledgments:

• President’s Volunteer Service Award: By meeting the service hour requirements through PALS and other volunteering efforts, you’ll receive a PVSA package, which includes a presidential letter, certificate, and pin.
• PALS Graduation Ceremony: Celebrate achievement at the PALS Graduation Ceremony, where students receive a Certificate of Completion, honoring their dedication and growth throughout the summit.

Community Service Project:

• Mark My Words: Bookmarks for Bright Futures: Participants will engage in a creative service project benefiting local elementary schools, crafting personalized bookmarks to encourage reading and literacy among elementary school students. This hands-on activity not only fosters community engagement but also promotes the joy of learning through art.