Page 10 - Sojourner Newsletter-Fall 2024 Final1

10 THE SOJOURNER
AMERICANISM

2024 Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference

Thomas Jefferson, top center, poses with the all of the students and chaperones
(Photo credit: Founding Forward at Valley Forge)

This year’s Spirit of America Youth Leadership Conference (SA-YLC) sponsored by National Sojourners,
Inc.® was held at Founding Forward (formerly Freedoms Foundation) at Valley Forge (FFVF) in
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania from Thursday, 11 July to Sunday, 14 July 2024. This is the 75th anniversary
since founded by President Eisenhower in 1949. This year also marks the name change to Founding Forward
due to the merger between Freedoms Foundation and the Union League Legacy Foundation. Both
organizations have always shared similar purposes, and by merging, the new organization will be stronger than
just adding the two together. The biggest benefit the Valley Forge campus expects to gain is the ability to
repair and significantly upgrade the aging facilities.

As always, the event was a great learning experience for all in attendance. This year’s attendance included
84 people, including 49 students and 14 adult chaperones sponsored by National Sojourners, plus 20 students
and 1 adult chaperone sponsored by FFVF. Our sincerest thanks are due to many Sojourners from across the
country who coordinated the funding and travel for the youth and adult participants, and to the Spirit of
America Education Foundation for providing much needed tuition assistance! The number of students is the
highest we have had in several years.

Following reception of the students on Thursday afternoon, National President, Brother Carl Diamond
presented a moving welcome message to the students at the Orientation Ceremony.