The goal of YMLA is to provide mentees with a beginning understanding of what social capital is and how they can increase their social capital and educate young people toward gaining a beginning awareness and understanding of how their life trajectory directly correlates to their ability to understand and build social capital. The program will also immerse mentees in experiences that allow them to gain access and exposure to ideas, people, opportunities, and knowledge that will directly impact how their life unfolds as they move through high school and beyond; as well as guide mentees to realize that the best program of leadership development is one that allows them to learn how to advocate for themselves and acquire the necessary and vital skills for them to gain access to societal power and access. The middle school age is the perfect time to begin introducing young people to the idea of social capital. While the actual acquisition of social capital is something that mostly occurs at an older age, the YMLA program understands the necessity of establishing building blocks of education and awareness that create the possibility of future acquisitions of social capital.