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local Tuesday 25 april 2023
Heart-Centered Leadership Foundation helps young adults make

their dreams come true

(Oranjestad)—The Heart-Centered I started doing voluntary work. I
Leadership Foundation (HCLF) connected deeply with other vol-
promotes opportunities for young unteers and members of staff dur-
adults between 18 and 29 years ing various activities and social
old to start a training journey as a moments that are designed for the
volunteer, where they from part of development of both volunteers
the foundation during its activities and staff. I always felt proud after
for teenagers of 13 to 17 years of talking to the teens during school
age. activities. A moment that stood
out for me was when I assisted as
These volunteers that do brave a group leader during the Impact
work with HCLF are called Heart- Cafés at John Wesley High school,
Centered Impact Filomena College Mavo and Abra-
Coaches (HCIC) and they con- ham de Veer High school. This was
tribute in the organization’s goal when we discussed the topic of
to empower and inspire young mental health. The sessions were
people. A HCIC is able to commu- very interactive and the teens
nicate, motivate and provide sup- could feel comfortable to share
port for young people on a social their thoughts on the matter and
and academic level during work- other related points about mental
shops, seminars and other HCLF health.
activities. This opportunity allows
young adults to form connections How did volunteering at HCLF im-
and make a positive impact in pact your personal and profession-
someone’s life. Personal and pro- al life?
fessional development is crucial for “I discovered that I had more skills
a young adult to get to know their that I initially thought. With the sup-
skills and purpose that will further port from HCLF, I had the oppor-
guide them in the future. tunity to develop more skills and
talents, and also put these in prac-
Meet fellow HCLF volunteer, Alyes- tice.” “The most valuable part is that are interested in further developing
ka Lake, better known by her nick- HCLF recognizes you for who you your personal and professional life,
name “Aly”. She is a 26-year-old “I see myself as a dreamer with are, not for what you show them. please contact HCLF at 5841211
young woman raised in San Nico- big ambitions. To be able to have They see you as a whole person (Whatsapp) or send an e-mail at
las, and who now lives in The Neth- the skills to visualize these dreams is and your potential.” hclfaruba@gmail.com.q
erlands, where she just completed one of my biggest goals, and this
her Masters in Clinical Child and is thanks to HCLF. Getting to know Would you recommend other
Adolescent Psychologist at Leiden myself better really helped my young adults to volunteer at HCLF?
University. Alyeska shared her ex- mentality and the direction that I “If you want to be a part of a group
perience as a Heart-Centered want to go in life—personally and that does meaningful work in the
Impact Coach, which helped her professionally. I know exactly who I lives of teens from San Nicolas, and
become the version of herself she am, who I want to be, where I want at the same time want to make sig-
always dreamed of. to go, what I want to do and with nificant impact in your own life, join
whom. I believe I already had this the Heart-Centered Leadership
How was your experience as a vol- in me, but it was through the chal- Foundation as a volunteer.”
unteer at HCLF? lenges that HCLF gave me that I
“I always enjoyed my time with was able to realize my full potential Did Alyeska’s experience motivate
HCLF and I have no regrets. My fa- and take action.” you to become a Heart-Centered
vorite memory at HCLF is the sense Impact Coach? If you are be-
of belonging I got and the fam- What is the most valuable part of tween 18 and 29 years old, like to
ily that I made from the moment volunteering at HCLF? give back to the community and