The Michigan Youth Leadership Academy will graduate 24 young men from the Benton Harbor area this Thursday. MSP Sergeant DuWayne Robinson tells WSJM News the program, offered since about 2006, teaches a variety of life skills to kids between 14 and 15.
“The academy offers them a crash course in topics such as physical activity, water safety, nutrition, alcohol and drug awareness, gang awareness, public speaking, and first aid,” Robinson said.
The students go and stay at the Michigan State Police training facility in Lansing for five days as part of the academy. Robinson tells us many of its graduates go on to become police officers. The program is free thanks to a grant.
