Student Inclusion Leadership Club: Leading with Kindness, Empathy, and Purpose

The Student Inclusion Leadership Club (SILC) at Aspen Academy is grounded in a powerful mission: to empower students to be kind, creative, and empathetic leaders who build a welcoming, inclusive, and impactful community where every voice matters.

SILC is made up of nearly 20 middle school students in grades 5–8 who meet every Tuesday during lunch and recess. During these weekly gatherings, students engage in thoughtful reflection on important issues affecting our world and explore meaningful ways they can use their time, passion, and talents to make a difference. Through conversation, collaboration, and action, students learn that leadership is not about position—it is about service, awareness, and empathy.

Each year, SILC commits to a variety of service-learning opportunities designed to create a positive and direct impact on the lives of others. Central to this work is intentional reflection and gratitude. Students regularly consider the resources and privileges they have access to and recognize that not everyone shares the same opportunities. This awareness fuels their desire to serve others and to act with compassion and purpose.

This holiday season, SILC focused its efforts on raising awareness about youth homelessness in Denver, Colorado. Students learned about the vast numbers of people affected by this issue in Denver, the significant challenges many families and young people face—especially during the colder winter months—and explored how homelessness can impact a child’s ability to experience the holidays in ways many of us often take for granted.

As part of this learning, students again partnered with Urban Peak, a local organization dedicated to supporting young people experiencing homelessness. Through meaningful discussion, students reflected on the importance of recognizing the humanity in others and honoring dignity, hope, and belonging for all. Inspired by these conversations, SILC members chose to take action by organizing a collection of new toys to be donated to children currently being served at Urban Peak, helping ensure that these children experiencing homelessness could receive a holiday gift this season.

On behalf of the Student Inclusion Leadership Club and all of its members, we extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported this holiday service-learning initiative. Your generosity and partnership helped our students turn empathy into action and made a tangible difference in the lives of others.

We wish our Aspen Academy community a joyful holiday season and look forward to continuing this important work together in the New Year. Happy Holidays, and best wishes for a wonderful 2026!