Page 31 - Chester County Chamber - 2024 Guide & Membership Directory

right candidates into the program.”
LCC participants benefit from a variety of
special programming. At the end of each
LCC cohort, for example, United Way of
Chester County puts on a meet-and-greet
event where recent graduates can meet
with nonprofits to determined which is
the best fit for them. In 2024, 27 nonprofits
participated.
“You’re able to perform best when you’re
with an organization that matches your
passion,” Cockshaw said. “That’s something
the United Way has great insight into.
We can help our graduates find the best
position for them because we know the
community so well.”
Another special event — open to the
community as well as LCC participants
— is a poverty simulation that takes up
a few hours on a single day. “It gives the
participants a simulated experience of
what it’s like to struggle to make ends
meet,” Cockshaw said. “It’s certainly no
replacement for having these experiences
themselves, but it’s an eye-opening way for
Advocacy, Connections & Community | chescochamber.org
LCC participants to understand why their
help is needed so much.”
So who is a good fit for LCC? “We encourage
our corporate sponsors to look within
their organizations for those who exhibit
leadership skills and are interested in giving
back to the community,” Cockshaw said.
“The program also helps the sponsoring
corporations in that their employees bring
back enhanced leadership and teamwork
abilities. Graduates forge meaningful
connections with fellow leaders, creating a
network of support and collaboration that
endures well beyond the program.”
However, you don’t have to be sponsored
by your employer to participate in the
program — anyone is welcome to apply,
and limited scholarship funds are available
to cover the $2,500 tuition. Nonprofit
staff also participate in LCC to learn how
to better run their boards and make their
organizations more effective.
Learn more at
unitedwaychestercounty.org/
leadership-chester-county-overview.
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