Become a Pathways School Ambassador — Bring a Student Leadership Club to Your School!

Organization: SIP Arts Foundation, Inc. | Southern Illinois Pathways

Location: Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area and Southern Illinois

Opportunity Type: Youth Leadership, Community Service & Volunteer Hours

Schedule: Flexible | During the School Year

Commitment: Approximately 2–4 hours per month

Who Can Apply: Middle and high school students, including students with disabilities and their allies

Looking for Volunteer Hours? Want to Build Your Leadership Experience?

What if you could earn volunteer hours, strengthen your college and scholarship applications, make new friends, and help create a more inclusive community—all while bringing an exciting student club to your school?

SIP Arts Foundation is looking for student leaders to become Pathways School Ambassadors!

Through our Pathways Self-Advocates (PSA) initiative, students have the opportunity to introduce a ready-made, student-led leadership and inclusion club to their middle or high school.

You don't have to create a club from scratch. We provide the framework, mission, activity ideas, and organizational support. You bring the leadership, creativity, and energy!

What Is Pathways Self-Advocates?

Pathways Self-Advocates (PSA) is a youth leadership and community-building initiative that brings students with and without disabilities together to develop their voices, build friendships, advocate for inclusion, and make a difference.

PSA clubs create opportunities for students to explore leadership, accessibility, disability awareness, self-advocacy, and community service while planning activities that reflect their interests.

Each school club can develop its own personality, projects, and traditions while being part of a larger network of Pathways student leaders across Greater St. Louis and Southern Illinois.

What Will You Do as a School Ambassador?

As a Pathways School Ambassador, you can:

• Become a founding student leader by helping launch a PSA club at your school.
• Earn documented volunteer service hours through approved club activities, community outreach, event support, and leadership projects.
• Build your resume with meaningful leadership, advocacy, and nonprofit experience.
• Recruit friends and classmates who want to make a difference.
• Organize fun, inclusive activities such as social events, school awareness campaigns, community service projects, and student-led initiatives.
• Connect families with Pathways Family Circle, community outings, workshops, and other opportunities.
• Help shape your club by developing projects that matter to students at your school.
• Connect with other student leaders throughout the region.

We'll Help You Get Started!

SIP Arts Foundation provides:

• A ready-made PSA club concept and organizational identity.
• A club startup guide and sample activities.
• Leadership and community service project ideas.
• Promotional materials to help recruit members.
• Guidance for working with school administrators and faculty advisors.
• Connections to community activities and volunteer opportunities.
• Verification of eligible, completed volunteer service hours.

You'll work with your school to obtain approval and identify a faculty advisor, while SIP provides resources and guidance to help establish the club.

Why Become a Pathways Ambassador?

This opportunity is especially valuable for students who:

• Need volunteer hours for graduation, National Honor Society, or school service requirements.
• Want leadership experience for college applications and scholarships.
• Are interested in education, social work, psychology, healthcare, public service, or nonprofit leadership.
• Want to meet new people and build a more welcoming school community.
• Are passionate about disability inclusion and making a positive difference.
• Want to help create a student organization they can continue leading throughout high school.

No previous leadership experience is required. Students with and without disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Where Are We Recruiting?

We welcome students from schools throughout the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area and Southern Illinois, including St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Madison County, St. Clair County, and surrounding communities.

Make Your Mark at Your School!

Imagine graduating knowing you helped establish a student club that brings people together, creates opportunities for others, and continues making an impact after you leave.

Whether you want to become a club founder, student officer, community organizer, or volunteer leader, Pathways gives you a place to start.

Your school. Your leadership. Your impact.

How to Apply

Express your interest through Idealist and tell us:

• Your school and grade level.
• Why you're interested in becoming a Pathways School Ambassador.
• Whether you would like to help launch a PSA club at your school.

Learn more: southernilpathways.com

SIP Arts Foundation, Inc. — Building pathways to inclusion, leadership, and community.