
ISR scholar selected as inaugural participant of the Allstate Foundation National Youth Service Summit
October 21, 2024
Ann Arbor — Angel Zhong, a service leader and member of the 2024 Junior Professional Researcher cohort at the Institute for Social Research, recently participated in the prestigious inaugural The Allstate Foundation Youth Service Summit in Chicago from September 27-29, 2024. The Summit brought together 70 of the nation’s most dynamic youth changemakers aged 18-22, and provided a unique platform for leadership development, innovative collaboration, and impactful networking among young service leaders.
“Spending time with 70 of the country’s most inspiring youth and young adult service leaders was a great privilege,” said Greg Weatherford, II, youth empowerment program officer for The Allstate Foundation. “These young people are changing the landscape of service as we know it, and it’s an honor to support and strengthen the impact they’re already having in their communities.”
Zhong was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nearly 500 applicants across the nation, representing exceptional young leadres in the United States, including non-profit founders, policy advocates, civic leaders, and community changemakers whoa re at the forefront of driving positive change in their communities. The rigorous selection process sough to identify those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and impact in their service work. Being one of only 70 students chosen for this honor underscores Zhong’s remarkable contributions and potential to continue making a meaningful difference.
Zhong is a 2023 graduate of the University of the Pacific, majoring in psychology and English with minors and ethnic studies before joining ISR’s 2024 JPR cohort. As a part of her work in the cohort, she joined the team on the Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide and At-Risk Substance Use (PC CARES) project. PC Cares works with communities to address complex behavioral health issues to reduce suicide risk and prevent at-risk substance use to promote youth wellbeing.
The Allstate Foundation National Youth Service Summit is a cornerstone of The Allstate Foundation’s commitment to empowering youth to serve and improve communities. The Summit was hosted by the Center for Expanding Leadership and Opportunity, with funding provided by The Allstate Foundation as a part of their partnership to (re)define youth service for a new generation and empower youth to serve and improve communities. Through initiatives such as this, The Allstate Foundation continues to invest in youth leadership, ensuring that young people have the tools and resources they need to build a brighter future for their communities.
Learn more about their shared work on a youth-led, youth-driven service here.
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About the Allstate Foundation
The Allstate Foundation empowers people and communities so they can thrive. Established in 1952, the Foundation takes bold actions and inspires people to act by empowering youth to serve and improve communities, working to close the racial wage gap, and disrupting the cycle of relationship abuse. The foundation also supports nonprofit leaders through the Nonprofit Leadership Center.
About the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity (CELO)
CELO is a nonprofit committed to a world where high-quality youth development opportunities are distributed as equally as the abundance of talent in our communities. Emerging from nearly two decades of groundbreaking research and incubated at The Aspen INstitute, CELO bridges the gap between academia and practice to accelerate youth development and deliver on the promise of greater impact.
Contact: Jon Meerdink ([email protected])