Jeff Becraft, Executive Director of Youth Corps

MidlandsBiz:
What is Youth Corps?

Jeff Becraft:
Youth Corps is a leadership development experience for high school students here in Richland & Lexington Counties (the Midlands).  Each year, thirty-six outstanding 9th and 10th grade students from a diverse background (male and female) participate in a rigorous program that runs from August to May.  Students start their own businesses, help to pass an actual bill at the State House, help victims of crime, meet with young people behind the fence at Department of Juvenile Justice, work with Columbia’s non-profits, interact with the world of journalism, and much more as they develop as leaders and acquire an understanding of the big picture of our city.  Students go through nine different  modules during the year; each module is led by top community leaders.

Youth Corps seeks to elevate our students’ awareness about the importance of leadership and how one leader can transform individuals into a team, and help them to accomplish great things.

MidlandsBiz:
What are the origins of the program?

Jeff Becraft:
Youth Corps is the brainchild of three local businessmen: Hunter Howard, Archie Maddox, and Grayson Hartgrove.  They saw a need for a local leadership program that was specifically geared towards building a unified body of young people prepared for future involvement in community leadership.  The original vision is based on the conviction that young people need to be educated and equipped for decision-making positions in the Midlands’ public, private, and independent sectors.

Grayson investigated 400 leadership programs around the country that were offered under the auspices of the national Community Leadership Association and found that only 25 of them were specifically geared towards youth.

MidlandsBiz:
When did you come on board with the program and what is your role?

Jeff Becraft:
I am the Executive Director for Youth Corps.  Grayson and I had met informally at his child’s summer camp and he approached me about helping him in getting Youth Corps going.   I spent the first six months of my time there sharing the vision of our program, looking for supporters, and putting the actual program in place .  I eventually decided to take on the role of leading the day-to-day operations of the organization.

MidlandsBiz:
Are you thinking of expanding the program to include more students?

Jeff Becraft:
We had considered a larger group but eventually stumbled on the number 36 mostly by accident.  As it turns out, 36 is the number on which the military operates. When you go above 36, the group dynamic begins to break down.

MidlandsBiz:
What are the modules for the program?

Jeff Becraft:
The modules include a Leadership Weekend; Philanthropy & Non-profits; Crimes, Victims & Justice; Media & Journalism; Legislation & Government; Business & Economics; Investment & Finance; Career & Higher Education; and Arts & Culture.

MidlandsBiz:
How much does the program cost?

Jeff Becraft:
The program costs $975.  There are also partial scholarships available.

MidlandsBiz:
Is the program for 2009-2010 filled up?

Jeff Becraft:
No, we have a couple spaces open for this upcoming year.  A parent can have their student apply by going to www.youthcorps.net.

MidlandsBiz:
How are you funded?

Jeff Becraft:
This $975 tuition covers 1/3 of the cost.  The rest comes from corporate sponsors and private contributions.

MidlandsBiz:
What are the minimum requirements for students to get in to the program?

Jeff Becraft:
We send out information to all schools in Richland and Lexington counties and many of the students come in to the program through word of mouth.  The majority of our students have above a 3.0 grade point average, but there are no minimum requirements.  We look for responsible students who have a good attitude.  After submitting an application, students are interviewed by our selection committee.  Youth Corps is not a program for at-risk kids.  While those programs have obvious merit, Youth Corps seeks uniquely talented, outstanding students with great leadership potential.

MidlandsBiz:
What are you looking for in the interview?

Jeff Becraft:
We seek to sow the vision of leadership in our students and we have found that that job is easier with a student who has a positive attitude.  One of the misconceptions about leadership is that you have to be an extrovert in order to influence others.  One of our top students was an extremely shy student during the interview process, but we all saw her unbelievable potential.  Our job in shaping that future leader is getting them to grow into their potential.

MidlandsBiz:
Describe Youth Corps and the value that you have seen the kids’ lives.

Jeff Becraft:
What I am most proud of is the comments that we receive from students and their parents after the program is over.  Parents tell us about how their children have grown in confidence and self esteem by participating in our program.  The result is often improved grades, better participation in extra-curricular activities, and a willingness to enter into leadership roles at their respective schools.

Youth Corps is like jumping into a boat with 36 oars.  The children who grab an oar start to understand the vision of our program – that life is not something that happens to you, it’s something you make happen.  Students do things that they never thought possible and begin to see a clear path about how they can determine what their life can be.

As with many leadership programs for youth, we visit Harvest Hope Food Bank.  But we want our students not just to volunteer their time, we want them to understand the big picture about why we even need to have an entity like the Harvest Hope in the community.  After our visit to Harvest Hope, one of our students organized a network of 25 families to collect food for Harvest Hope which resulted in over 2,000 pounds of food.  That is an example of how one person can truly make a difference by inspiring others.

During the 2008-2009 business module on entrepreneurship, our students grossed over $27,000 in sales and gave back over $2,600 from their profits to various charities.  They start a real business!

In baseball, if you wait until that rolling ground ball gets to you, you’re never going to get the runner out.  And the ball might take a bad hop!  Charge the ball.  The learning is in the action, and that is what Youth Corps is all about.

MidlandsBiz:
What leaders do you admire?

Jeff Becraft:
Most of what I have learned about leadership is through observing people around me.  I love to highlight unsung leaders such as a friend, Tom Campbell, who runs a group home in North Carolina.  He, more than any person I have ever met, understands the importance of being fair when dealing with others.  If people perceive you as being fair, they will listen to you and work together with you on a team.  He also stresses the importance of how you communicate with others.  Never talk down to people.

It’s important to read books about inspiring leaders and I am currently reading a book by Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden.  I also love to read about larger than life leaders such as Winston Churchill.  Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm, is a quote of his that I often use with our young students.  What a great perspective on leadership!

MidlandsBiz:
What is your biggest challenge right now?

Jeff Becraft:
Our biggest challenge is the ongoing issue of funding, particularly in this economy.

MidlandsBiz:
How do you compare to other leadership programs for youth – Junior Achievement (JA), Scouts, for example.

Jeff Becraft:
Youth Corps is not by any stretch competition to what I see as other great leadership programs for students.  We complement those programs.  For example, our program has a one month module on entrepreneurship.  We encourage those students who really take an interest to pursue further exposure to the world of business by signing up for JA at their High School.  Anything that helps young leaders develop is a great endeavor in our opinion.

MidlandsBiz:
What is the time commitment for students?

Jeff Becraft:
Other than a couple of Saturdays during the year, Youth Corps is mostly delivered in the evenings and after school, but students do have to commit to several Saturdays during the nine months. We take the young future leaders inside a prison during an all day Saturday in November, for example.  On average, students need to commit to 12 hours a month

 

Jeff Becraft has worked with young people since 1982.  Jeff also speaks at various camps and conferences during the year.  A graduate of Virginia Tech, Jeff has been married to his wife, Brenda, for 23 years and they have three children and a full-time-live hound dog.