Purpose Every Day: Community Leadership Microcredential

A values-based leadership program developing high school students into purpose-driven, community-minded leaders.

Duration: One Week · 8 hours
Format: Four 2-hour sessions
Audience: High school students
Recognition: Certificate + Digital Badge

Real leadership takes more than a resume line.

High school students are expected to make big decisions about their futures, but they are rarely taught the practical skills needed to thrive in the real world. Without spaces to intentionally grow, many students feel uncertain about how to communicate professionally, manage resources, or navigate team conflict. You shouldn't have to wait until you are an adult to learn how to lead.

We equip you for the rooms you haven't walked into yet.

Through purposeful learning and applied practice, Strive Now, in partnership with the GECU Foundation, gives students the leadership competencies that distinguish them as effective communicators, collaborative team members, and values-driven decision-makers across their schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

HOW THE MICROCREDENTIAL WORKS

MODULE 01 | The Core: Values, Strive 7 & Communication Foundations

Reflect on how daily choices build your identity. Discover your top strengths using the Strive 7 team roles to understand your contribution, and practice the foundational rules of communication to speak with clarity and honesty.

MODULE 02 | Elevated Teams: Teamwork, Conflict Resolution & Professional Presence

Learn to navigate team dynamics and turn conflict into connection. By practicing "Strategic Stillness" (silence as a superpower), you will strengthen your professional presence by learning to respond rather than react.

MODULE 03 | Dollars & Direction: GECU Finance & Impact-Driven Decisions

Connect financial literacy to real-world community impact. Explore personal budgeting, banking basics, and team budget simulations to learn how values-aligned financial decisions drive strategic resources.

MODULE 04 | Lead the Room: Strategic Communication & Storytelling

Practice persuasive delivery, presence, and storytelling to speak with confidence. Learn how to craft narratives to confidently pitch ideas and influence outcomes.

Discover Your Leadership Role

Through purposeful learning and applied practice, Strive Now, in partnership with the GECU Foundation, gives students the leadership competencies that distinguish them as effective communicators, collaborative team members, and values-driven decision-makers across their schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

The Driver — Grit

Pushes through challenges, keeps the group moving, and refuses to quit when goals get tough.

The Real One — Authenticity

Leads with honesty, keeps it real, and gives others permission to show up as their true selves too.

Difference Maker — Impact

Spots chances to help, organizes action, and makes sure projects actually change something for others.

Community Builder — Connection

Brings people together, makes sure no one feels left out, and turns groups into real communities.

Habit Maker — Discipline

Sets routines, follows through on commitments, and helps the team stay consistent over time.

Goal Setter — Vision

Sees the big picture, sets clear goals, and keeps the group focused on what matters most.

Confident Leader — Presence

Uses voice, body language, and calm energy to help others feel safe, focused, and ready to follow.

The Capstone: Community Impact Initiative

Student teams are assigned an organization type and tasked with solving a real-world community problem within budget constraints. Teams develop a written proposal, a line-item budget, and deliver a 10-minute presentation to a community panel, including GECU Foundation representatives.

What Sets Our Graduates Apart

Values-based decisions: Grounded in character and purpose.
Professional communication: Listening to understand and speaking with clarity.
Team collaboration: Using the Strive 7 to build trust and manage conflict.
Financial literacy: Managing real budgets for stakeholder impact.
Workplace confidence: Gaining the presence to lead any room.