The C.O.R.E Communities engages students that are leaders in their spaces, and empowering them to design and implement their own community development initiatives. These students have shown promise in their transition in becoming intentional leaders and have earned the right to serve on a larger scale. C.O.R.E. Communities challenges them to employ the principles of Asset-Based Community Development, and present their initiatives to community stakeholders.

Michael Jenkins coordinates events and speaking engagements with local partners, oversees the program’s day-to-day operations, and interacts with our students and their parents. His passion for both youth and community development has been proven time and time again after more than a decade of experience in local community development corporations and schools. His experience has been focused on developing young men of color through several programs in Columbus, Ohio. Beyond his formal work in youth development, Michael has started multiple cell groups for his church, fostering community and meeting the needs of young adults for more than six years. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and serves as an ordained elder at his church.