Teens In Action™ 2022-2023 Program Details

Click Here to Apply for the 2022-2023 Program Year

Please read the criteria and guidelines for the program to ensure you can meet the requirements.

Program Criteria:
  • Applicants for Teens In Action™ must be entering grades 9 through 12 and live or attend school in Hillsborough County.
  • Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from adults familiar with their character and commitment to growth (i.e. teacher, pastor, coach, etc.).
  • Applicants must dedicate at least 10 hours per month to a selected community service site and earn up to 80 hours of community service during the duration of the program (about 2 hours per week). In addition to weekly community service at their site (Tier 1), teens have optional but encouraged opportunities to provide additional, ongoing service to the community (Tier 2), and to support one-time events needing volunteers (Tier 3). These events provide ample opportunities for teens to earn community service hours while applying the skills of emotional intelligence for the benefit of our community.
  • Applicants must participate in a Teens In Action™ led capstone service project.
  • Applicants must have transportation to and from bi-monthly planning sessions, and volunteer service sites if attending in-person.
  • In reviewing applications, the selection committee looks for potential participants who demonstrate:
    • A desire to develop social and emotional concepts and skills.
    • A strong commitment to community service and learning about the projects they will support.
    • The ability to make the time commitment required by the program.
  • Upon final consideration, applicants will be contacted for an interview that will be conducted virtual or in-person if preferred.
Attendance Criteria:

Please review the required events.

  • TIA Participant and Parent Orientation
  • Opening EQ Retreat
  • Bi-monthly EQ Workshops
  • Bi- monthly TIA Capstone Service Project Planning Meetings (Mandatory for Team Lead and TIA Leadership Council)
  • End of Year Celebration – TIA Service Site Group Presentations

Failure to attend events outlined below, and/or commitment to earning up to 80 hours required for community service may result in dismissal from the program.

TIA Participant and Parent Orientation

DATES: Thursday, August 25th – at a local Tampa Bay location

Opening EQ Retreat

DATES: Saturday, September 10th – Full day at a local Tampa Bay location

Bi-Monthly EQ Workshops – at a local community center in Tampa

DATES: Third Tuesday of the month, 4:30-6:00 p.m. (except for the May workshop, which will be held on the first Tuesday of the month)

Mandatory for all TIA participants → No fewer than 4 out of 5 of the following workshops:

  • Workshop 1 – Tuesday, September 20th
  • Workshop 2 – Tuesday, November 15th
  • Workshop 3 – Tuesday, January 17th
  • Workshop 4 – Tuesday, March 21st
  • Workshop 5 – Tuesday, May 2nd
Bi-Monthly Capstone Service Project Meetings - at a local community center in Tampa

DATES: First Tuesday of the month, 4:30-6:00 p.m. 

Mandatory for Team Leads/TIA Leadership Council → No fewer than 3 out of 4 following sessions:

  • Meeting 1 – Tuesday, October 4th
  • Meeting 2 – Tuesday, December 6th
  • Meeting 3 – Tuesday, February 7th
  • Meeting 4 – Tuesday, April 4th
End of Year Celebration - TIA Service Site Presentations

DATE: Saturday, May 13th 11:00- 1:00 p.m. – Mandatory for all participants

Selected Teens In Action™ participants are expected to:
  • Fully and actively participate in all aspects of the Teens In Action™ program from 8/25/2022 – 5/13/2023.
  • Demonstrate respect for staff, leaders, program guests, and fellow program members.
  • Pay a $350 or $250 (if selected to be a Team Lead) program fee by 7/28/2022. Limited need-based scholarships are available.