Project Belonging is a student-driven leadership program hosted by Teachers College, Columbia University, open to students in grades 6 through 12. Participants work hands-on to develop local prevention campaigns that promote connection and belonging within their communities, building skills in collaboration, leadership, and social change. Students present their community initiatives to the broader Project Belonging network, sharing success stories and inspiring peers across the country. It is a meaningful opportunity for young people who want to make a real difference in their schools and communities while growing as leaders and changemakers.
Guiding a group toward a shared goal and keeping everyone moving together.
Bringing people together around a shared cause to create real change.
Planning tasks, timelines, and resources to get a project done on schedule.
Evaluating information carefully before drawing a conclusion or making a decision.
Fully focusing on and understanding what someone else is communicating.
Understanding and respectfully engaging with people from different backgrounds.
Students develop and lead community prevention campaigns and present outcomes, mirroring nonprofit program implementation and evaluation.
Program focuses on fostering resilient, connected communities and promoting belonging—core to social work practice and community support.
Students learn to create collaborative, supportive environments and develop prevention initiatives addressing student belonging and mental health.
Participants design and present local prevention campaigns, applying research-based strategies to community issues and social change.
Community Experiences
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