Alex Cox

I first learned about iBELIEVE back in 2014 when I was asked if I was interested in going to their workshop to learn leadership skills, but after attending the program I realized it was so much more. On the first day of camp, I was nervous not knowing anyone except two others from my school, but I soon came to call all these new strangers my friends. The first year of the program really worked on getting me out of my shell and being more outgoing and networking with new people. The next year I attended we learned more skills that help us see from other perspectives and how to problem solve and brainstorm in group settings. The 3rd year of the program helped pull everything together and help me learn my strengths and weaknesses as a leader and as a person.

In 2017 I became a staff member, wanting to give back to the organization that gave me so much guidance in my youth. As part of the staff, I didn’t stop learning from the program, I even learned a few things about myself from leading the delegates. Their perspective of being new to the program helped me see how important communicating is. Being part of the staff gave me ample opportunity to practice public speaking, and teaching strategies while in our council sessions. Everyone will take something different away from the program, but I hope whatever they take will help them grow as an individual. As I continued staffing over the past few years, I have used the practices that I’ve learned from both my staff and delegates to help me be a better leader and a better person. iBELIEVE helped mold me into the individual I am today.

The friends I have made over the years with the program have been amazing, we constantly reach out and check on each other and talk about how iBELIEVE has helped our careers. All the knowledge and life lessons I’ve learned from so many mentors here help me with my social life and career. I’ve used these skills during my presentations teaching U.S. and NATO forces in over 11 countries that I’ve been deployed to. With the knowledge I’ve gained from this great organization, and the support from others from the program, I can make a positive difference in my community, and around the globe. Inside the iBELIEVE Foundation, there are so many brilliant individuals from all walks of life, that are working to make the world a better place. I cannot begin how big of an impact this program has had on myself and hundreds of others from the region. I have had the opportunity to meet with so many fantastic individuals from Appalachia and I cannot wait to see what change they can cause with the skills they learn.