DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY OF THE
TOMORROW’S LEADERS TODAY CONFERENCE

The purpose of the TLT conference is to show young people their potential as leaders, to teach them leadership skills, and to identify ways they can become participating citizens in their communities. The conference is also intended to inspire and energize professionals who work with youth.

During the early 1990s the National Youth Resource Center at the University of Oklahoma began to offer a national youth leadership development conference, specifically for older teens who were in out-of-home placement. The conference asked youth to examine their experiences in the child welfare system, identify what youth in out-of-home care need, and how the child welfare system should be improved. Over three years, DHS sent 10 youth and two to three youth workers to this conference, despite the expense.

In 1993, county and nonprofit youth workers, who had attended this conference, suggested that Minnesota create its own annual youth leadership conference. They believed they could not only improve on the federal conference, but also include larger numbers of Minnesota youth.

A volunteer group of conference planners was organized. The group represents DHS, county social service agencies, nonprofit agencies serving youth, and former foster care youth. Beginning in 1995, and every year since then, this group has planned and executed a two-and-a-half-day Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) Conference. The purpose of the conference is threefold:

The conference is for youth ages 16 to 21 who are either on a county social worker’s caseload or involved with a nonprofit agency youth program. These are not youth who are likely to be invited to a mainstream youth leadership conference. The conference is held each summer at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. Youth and youth workers sleep in dormitories and eat in the campus cafeteria. About 275 people attend each year. In 2002, youth from 13 counties, one American Indian reservation, and 11 nonprofit agency programs attended. About half the participants were from the metro area, half from out-state Minnesota. Participants represented a wide range of cultures and races.

The TLT Conference defies description. It includes large group activities, approximately 30 individual workshop sessions, a keynote speaker, motivational music, comedy, storytelling, ethnic dance groups, art projects and more. This conference is a highlight of their year for youth workers and youth alike. Youth tell us:

After attending the TLT Conference youth act on the realization that they can make a positive difference in their own communities. Some of their activities have included:

The TLT conference empowers youth. It encourages them and gives them the tools they need to participate in their communities in meaningful and constructive ways. These youth have a great deal to say about how to improve the child welfare system, because they have experienced it. The TLT conference changes young peoples’ self concept from disenfranchised to contributing, knowledgeable, valued community members.

The conference is also intended to change adults’ views. The conference is built on a foundation of positive youth development. Youth workers are encouraged to recognize each youth’s talents, abilities, and knowledge, and to return home committed to involving youth in their community in a positive way.