History of Spark the Wave

Spark the Wave’s educational programs were first created in 1976 when the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania began hosting an annual Leadership Development Center (LDC) to educate young people about the value of citizen service. As the camp and its importance in the community continued to grow, the Red Cross allowed the group to spin off its operation in January 2004 to facilitate a more comprehensive, year-round approach to reaching young people in Philadelphia and beyond.

Spark the Wave is now fully incorporated and since 2004 in possession of its non-profit status. We put on our first seminar in the spring of 2004 for Holy Trinity School in Washington, DC. Since that time we have partnered with Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership at their World Congress, the Philadelphia Archdiocese, the Girls & Boy Scouts, the Higher Achievement Program, A Better Chance, the Network for Interfaith Movement, and numerous schools, service groups & houses or worship.

In 2005, we put on Wave Week I at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia for 39 participants. Since then we have added our service-mentoring program to continue our long-term commitment to these teens and the valuable community service work that they perform.