Resource Fellows Program
Local Leaders. Real Resources. Stronger Communities.
The Surmount Resource Fellows Program is a cohort-based leadership and civic engagement program for high school students (ages 16+) from Yonkers and New York City.
From April through December, fellows participate in hands-on learning experiences that combine community resource mapping, leadership development, public engagement, and advocacy.
What Is the Resource Fellows Program?
The Resource Fellows Program trains young people to:
- Identify and vet local resources
- Engage the public through outreach and surveys
- Build tools like resource brochures
- Contribute directly to Surmount’s community resource database
- Present findings to community stakeholders and officials
This is not classroom learning. Fellows actively contribute to real community impact throughout the program.
Sessions include in-person workshops at the Yonkers Public Library, virtual work sessions, site visits to local nonprofits, and public tabling events.
Transportation support and refreshments are provided for in-person sessions to ensure accessibility and consistent participation.
What does the program include?
Fellows meet monthly in person (on a Saturday for 3-4 hours), with additional virtual sessions (during the week for 1 hour, 2x a month) and independent work.
Program components include:
- Leadership and personal development workshops
- Public tabling at community events
- Site visits to nonprofit organizations
- Resource vetting and database contributions
- Data collection and interpretation
- Advocacy training and presentation development for meetings with local elected officials
Each month builds toward real outputs and measurable impact.
Core Learning Pillars
Leadership & Personal Development
Building confidence, communication skills, teamwork, accountability, and ownership.
Community Knowledge & Resource Literacy
Understanding how local systems work and how resources support individuals and families.
Public Engagement & Advocacy
Learning how to talk to community members, collect feedback, and advocate for needs respectfully and effectively.
Applied Impact
Producing real outputs that directly support Surmount’s mission and the broader community.
Why This Program Exists
The Resource Fellows Program exists to:
- Empower young people to become informed leaders and advocates
- Increase access to trusted local resources
- Build youth voice through hands-on civic engagement
- Strengthen Surmount’s resource ecosystem through youth-led research
Across New York, resources exist, but access is often fragmented and confusing. Fellows help make support clearer, more visible, and more responsive to community needs.
Program Outcomes
Individual Fellow Outcomes
By the end of the program, fellows will:
- Demonstrate increased confidence in public speaking, collaboration, and leadership
- Understand how to identify, evaluate, and organize community resources
- Build skills in community outreach, survey engagement, and professional communication
- Gain exposure to civic systems, nonprofits, and community leadership pathways
- Complete a portfolio of real contributions, including vetted resources and community engagement work
- Develop a stronger sense of civic responsibility and connection to their community
Program-Level Outcomes
Through the fellowship, the program will:
- Train a cohort of youth leaders equipped to support community resource access
- Produce a growing collection of vetted, youth-reviewed community resources
- Increase community awareness of available supports through youth-led outreach
- Strengthen Surmount’s capacity to share accurate, trusted resources
- Build a replicable youth leadership model that can scale across communities
What will students gain?
- A small stipend for participation at the end of program
- Transportation covered for in-person sessions
- Refreshments and lunch provided during in-person sessions
- Leadership and civic engagement experience
- Training in research, advocacy, and public speaking
- Resume-building experience and professional references
- Community service hours
- Opportunities for continued leadership
FAQ's
If you need more answers, please email contact@wesurmount.org
What is the timeline for the Program?
The application closes on Friday March 13th at 5 PM. Students that move onto the next round will be contacted for an interview the week of March 16th. Fellows accepted will be notified by Wednesday March 25th. The first in-person session will take place Saturday April 4th at the Yonkers Riverfront Library. A virtual orientation will happen the week before.
Who should apply?
High school students age 16 or older based in Yonkers, the Bronx, or Manhattan that want hands-on, real-world experience learning about community challenges and advocacy.
When do Resource Fellows meet?
Resource Fellows have 3 meetings per month. There will be an in-person session on the first Saturday of each month at Yonkers Public Library and 2 virtual sessions throughout the month from April through December. Once all students are in the program, we’ll decide on the dates for virtual sessions that work for everyone.
Are there any requirements?
No prior experience required, just commitment and curiosity. We teach you everything you need to know.