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Join Querencia (keh-REN-see-ah) Leadership Inc. to empower youth through hands-on leadership development, wellness, and mutual aid. Be part of our community!

Empowering Youth Through Leadership Training and Wellness

Querencia Leadership Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas that is committed to empowering youth through hands-on leadership development, wellness, and sustainable food production. Our programs are rooted in the philosophy of querencia, which is a place of inner strength and self-determination. We aim to help young people cultivate resilience, agency, and purpose. Join us in creating a brighter future for the next generation.

<h5>Ernest Hemingway in his book "Death in the Afternoon," wrote:</h5><h5>“A querencia is a place the bull naturally wants to go to in the ring, a preferred locality... It is a place which develops in the course of the fight where the bull makes his home. It does not usually show at once, but develops in his brain as the fight goes on. In this place he feels that he has his back against the wall and in his querencia he is inestimably more dangerous and almost impossible to kill.”</h5> <h5>"Querencia" can be seen as A metaphysical concept - a place of refuge and renewal.</h5> <h5> </h5>

<h2>The Querencia (keh-REN-see-ah)</h2>

Querencia Leadership Inc."Discover Your Center, Transform Your World"

Querencia Leadership Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through hands-on leadership development, wellness, and sustainable food production. Our holistic approach focuses on nurturing young leaders both in personal growth and community impact. By providing opportunities for skill-building, mentorship, and real-world experience, we help youth unlock their full potential and make a positive difference in the world.

Holistic Leadership Development

Empowering Youth Through Leadership Development

We're leading a first cohort of about 15 DREAM teachers and staff through a leadership program built on the same practices we teach young people: staying steady under pressure, recovering from setbacks, and leading from their center. Between sessions, participants keep practicing with ForgeAI.coach, an AI coaching tool.

DREAM Charter School: Leadership Cohort

Querencia is partnering with Collegiate School's Ethics in Action program, which runs from kindergarten through 12th grade, on how students build character and judgment through practice. After early conversations and a review of the program's curriculum, we'll lead faculty sessions and student workshops.

Collegiate School: Ethics in Action

At Goshen Secure Center, a New York State facility for young people, Querencia has led mindfulness, breathwork, yoga, and vegetable gardening sessions. The work now includes leadership training to help young people prepare for returning home.

Goshen Secure Center

Where We Work

Our leadership development program empowers youth to cultivate essential leadership skills, fostering personal growth and community engagement.

Leadership Development

Join our wellness workshops to explore mindfulness, mental health, and physical well-being, promoting a healthy lifestyle for young individuals.

Wellness Workshops

Young people learn to show up for their neighbors by organizing drives, sharing resources, and meeting real needs in their own communities.

Mutual Aid

Our Services

Our programs focus on building resilience, leading to antifragility in youth, equipping them with the strength and skills to overcome challenges and thrive in their endeavors.

Antifragility/Resilience Building

We empower young individuals to discover their potential, take charge of their futures, and become leaders in creating positive change in society.

Youth Empowerment

Promoting purposeful engagement, our initiatives inspire young people to find meaning, contribute positively, and make a difference in their communities.

Purposeful Engagement

Igniting the spark of leadership within youth, we provide transformative experiences that foster growth, self-discovery, and impactful change for a brighter tomorrow.

Leadership Transformation

Key Features

Home

Explore our programs for young people in New York: leadership development, wellness, and mutual aid. Join us in creating a place of inner strength and self-determination for the youth of tomorrow.

Our Programs

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.― Lazarus Long — Time Enough for Love (Robert Heinlein)

<h2>Start Your Hero's/Heroine's Journey</h2>

Empowering Youth Through Leadership and Wellness

At Querencia Leadership Inc., we provide a space where young individuals can claim their psychological stronghold, sharpen their vision through adversities, and ignite their agency with purpose. Our programs empower youth to transform vulnerability into unstoppable force, rooted in the philosophy of querencia.

Claiming Querencia

<h2>The Power of Querencia: Leadership Forged in the Arena&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2> In "Death in the Afternoon", Ernest Hemingway immortalized *querencia* as the sacred ground where a wounded bull reclaims its power—a space where instinct, resilience, and defiance collide to transform vulnerability into unstoppable force.&nbsp;&nbsp;At Querencia Leadership Inc., we believe every young person deserves to claim their querencia—a psychological and communal stronghold where adversity sharpens their vision, setbacks fortify their resolve, and purpose ignites their agency. For youth navigating systemic barriers, trauma, or marginalization, this isn’t a metaphor. It’s survival.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>From Reaction to Rebellion: Rewriting the Narrative&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Too many young people are cast as the bull before it finds its querencia: cornered by poverty, discrimination, or cycles of crisis, forced to react rather than act. Systems often treat them as statistics—predictable, controllable, disposable.&nbsp;&nbsp;We don’t “empower” them. We dismantle that illusion. Power isn’t given; it’s seized. Through guerilla mentorship (think underground book clubs and street art campaigns), wilderness expeditions that mirror life’s chaos, and apprenticeships with leaders who’ve carved their own querencia from rock-bottom, we help youth hack the script. They learn to weaponize their stories, reframe their scars as armor, and demand a seat at the table—or burn the table down and build a new one.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Anti-Fragility: Pressure is the Anvil, Not the Enemy&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Life isn’t fair. But fairness is a distraction. At Querencia, we forge youth in the fire of strategic discomfort.&nbsp;&nbsp;Anti-fragility isn’t resilience. Resilience bends. Anti-fragility evolves.&nbsp;- A teen who’s been unhoused leads an urban design lab reimagining shelter as a human right.&nbsp;&nbsp;- A survivor of gang violence choreographs dance battles that replace territorial lines with collaborative art.&nbsp;&nbsp;We teach them to dissect fear: Is this a matador’s cape (a distraction) or the horn (their weapon)? Stress becomes their gym. Uncertainty, their compass.&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>Leadership as Sacred Trespassing&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about **trespassing into spaces meant to exclude you**—and rewriting the rules once inside.&nbsp;&nbsp;True querencia isn’t a comfort zone. It’s a war room. Here, youth craft their manifesto:&nbsp;&nbsp;- “My trauma isn’t my resume. It’s my artillery.”&nbsp;&nbsp;- “I don’t ‘overcome’ pain. I alchemize it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;- “My existence in this room is revolution.”&nbsp;&nbsp; <h2>The Arena Awaits&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>The world is a rigged arena. Querencia Leadership Inc. doesn’t train youth to play the game.&nbsp;&nbsp;We teach them to become the arena—to expand their *querencia* until the walls of oppression crumble beneath its weight. Because when a generation stops fighting for a seat at the table and starts building palaces from the rubble?&nbsp;&nbsp; That’s not survival. That’s a reckoning.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Why Querencia?

Empowering Youth Through Querencia Leadership Inc.

Our leadership development program guides youth on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, empowering them to lead with purpose and resilience. Through interactive workshops and mentoring, we cultivate the next generation of leaders.

Our wellness program focuses on holistic well-being by teaching mindfulness, stress management, and healthy lifestyle choices. We empower youth to prioritize their mental and physical health, fostering a balanced and thriving community.

In our mutual aid program, young people learn to show up for their neighbors. They organize drives, share resources, and meet real needs in their own communities, building the responsibility and organizing skills that leadership requires.

What makes us Different from Others?

Programs

Reach out to us for a transformative experience in youth empowerment and leadership development. Querencia Leadership Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 87-1438001.

Get in Touch with Us

Contact Us

<h2>Discover the impact of Querencia Leadership Inc. </h2>

Testimonials About The Founder

Explore testimonials from our empowered youth and discover how Querencia Leadership Inc's programs have made a positive difference in their lives. See their inspiring stories of growth, leadership, and resilience.

Vinny Dotoli

Joanne Hunt

Judith Reinicke

Testimonials

Testimonials

Querencia Leadership Inc. empowers youth through hands-on leadership development, wellness, and mutual aid. Join us in cultivating resilience, agency, and purpose in young minds.

Empowering Youth Through Leadership

Querencia Leadership Inc. is a nonprofit organization inspiring youth to achieve resilience and purpose through hands-on programs in New York and other states.

The Founder's Journey

We help young people claim their place of power, their Querencia, by building confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose. Through hands-on labs, wellness practices, and real-world work experiences, we equip teens for leadership in school, the workplace, and the community.

Promoting sustainable practices that nurture both youth development and environmental well-being.

Fostering a culture of wellness and care within our youth community for a brighter future.

Our Mission

Our Vision

About Us

We collect personal data for the sole purpose of enhancing user experience and providing tailored services.

Data Collection

We prioritize the security and protection of all information shared with us, ensuring confidentiality and integrity.

Information Security

We do not disclose personal information to third parties unless required by law or with explicit consent from the user.

Third-Party Disclosure

Our website utilizes cookies to improve user interaction and customize content based on preferences.

Cookie Policy

We retain user data only for necessary periods and securely dispose of it when no longer needed.

Data Retention

Users have the option to opt-out of certain data collection practices and can request deletion of their information.

Opt-Out Options

We may periodically update our privacy policy to reflect any changes in data handling practices. Users will be duly informed.

Policy Updates

Privacy Policy

By accessing or using Querencia Leadership Inc website, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. If you disagree with any part of the terms, please refrain from using the website.

Acceptance of Terms

The content on the website is for general information and educational purposes. It is subject to change without notice. Neither we nor any third parties provide any warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, timeliness, performance, completeness or suitability of the information and materials found or offered on this website.

Use of Content

Querencia Leadership Inc owns all rights, title, and interest in and to the website, including all intellectual property rights. You may access and use the content for personal use only.

Intellectual Property Rights

In no event shall Querencia Leadership Inc be liable for any damages arising out of the use or inability to use the materials on our website.

Limitation of Liability

Our website may contain links to third-party websites that are not owned or controlled by Querencia Leadership Inc. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites.

Links to Other Websites

Terms & Conditions

Why Querencia?

<h3>Freedom First Responders™: Strength in Action, Compassion in Crisis</h3>When the unexpected happens—when the world shifts without warning—there are those who freeze, and those who step forward. Freedom First Responders is a call to the young leaders, the ones who refuse to stand by when their communities are in need. This program is more than training—it’s a mindset, a commitment to readiness, resilience, and service.But leadership in a crisis isn’t just about physical preparedness. True first responders are those who can steady a shaking hand, ease an anxious mind, nourish a hungry body, and harness technology to connect, protect, and rebuild. That’s why Freedom First Responders is built on four pillars of service:<h3>Mental Health First Aid: A Steady Hand in Unsteady Times</h3>In the wake of trauma, words can be as powerful as any tool. Our first responders are trained to recognize emotional distress, de-escalate crises, and offer support when someone is struggling. Through active listening, crisis intervention techniques, and resource connection, we ensure that mental health is never an afterthought—it’s frontline care.<h3>Community Food: Because Strength Begins with Nourishment</h3>Food is survival. It is dignity. It is community. Whether it’s distributing emergency food supplies, supporting local food networks, or growing sustainable sources of nourishment, our first responders ensure that no one is left behind at the table. In disaster or hardship, we are there—with meals, with solutions, with hope.<h3>Technology: A Tool for Crisis, A Bridge for Recovery</h3>A well-placed call, a reliable map, a quick response—all of these can mean the difference between struggle and safety. Our first responders train in digital tools, crisis communication systems, and information security, ensuring that communities have access to vital resources, real-time data, and support networks. Technology is more than a tool; in the right hands, it’s a lifeline.<h3>Preparedness is Power</h3>Freedom First Responders don’t wait for someone else to take action. They are trained to lead in emergencies, think under pressure, and provide immediate, effective assistance—whether it’s offering first aid, ensuring food security, supporting mental health, or leveraging technology for safety and communication.When the call comes, will you be ready?

Freedom First Responders™

Freedom First Responders

Querencia Leadership Inc. runs three programs for young people in New York: leadership development, wellness, and mutual aid.

Empowering youth to become leaders through skill-building, mentorship, and real-world project experiences. Our programs instill confidence and teamwork in the next generation of changemakers.

Youth Leadership Development

Promoting holistic wellness through physical activities, mental health support, and nutrition education. We prioritize the well-being of young individuals to help them thrive in all aspects of life.

Wellness Programs

Young people learn to show up for their neighbors by organizing drives, sharing resources, and meeting real needs in their own communities. Along the way they build the responsibility and organizing skills that leadership requires.

Our Diverse Services

What makes us Different from Others ?

Satisfaction rate among program participants

Our Impact and Growth

Services

Discover our collection of products that empower youth through hands-on leadership development, wellness, and sustainable food production.

A comprehensive kit that helps young individuals develop leadership skills through interactive activities and workshops.

Youth Leadership Development Kit

Engaging workshops focused on promoting mental and physical wellness among youth, fostering a healthy lifestyle.

Wellness Workshop Series

Educational guide on sustainable food production techniques, teaching youth the importance of environmental conservation.