What is the Youth 2 Youth Program?
Y2Y is an initiative designed to empower youth with exceptionalities such as dyslexia and other learning disabilities (LDs), Attention Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and/or mental health challenges to become ambassadors to their community. This program is made by and for youth with these conditions. Acceptance to this program is not competitive; emphasis will be placed on the applicants’ commitment to and enthusiasm for helping enrich their community, rather than on previous leadership experience.
Many neurodivergent youth struggle to find themselves represented in their community. Y2Y was created to give these youth a voice, and an opportunity to gain valuable leadership and advocacy experience. The aim of this program is to increase the visibility of neurodivergency in the community and decrease stigma. If you are interested in being involved in this, we want to talk to you!
Program Benefits
- N$500 gratitude payment as thanks for your contributions to your community
- NIt looks great on your resume
- NAn experienced events coordinator will work with you and train you to plan and organize events.
- NOther training opportunities include Leadership and Advocacy training, Group Facilitation, Mental Health First Aid, Plan to Protect Abuse Prevention.
- NYou get to build connections with fellow ambassadors and with industry professionals
- NWe’ll give you a letter of recommendation upon completion of the program
- NYou also have the opportunity to apply for any internal job posting at CDL, before it goes out to the public.
Responsibilities & Duties
- NYou will organize a speaker series on neurodiversity for other youth, in collaboration with other ambassadors and an event coordinator
- NYou will share your lived experiences of neurodiversity to empower and support other youth in-person, online or on social media.
- NYou will have the opportunity to speak at CDL events to support our mission.
Criteria for Ambassadors
- NApplicants must be between the ages of 15 – 25 years old, but ideally 17+
- NYou must be neurodivergent. For us, that means that you have a suspected or diagnosed learning disability (such as dyslexia), ADHD, autism (ASD), or mental health challenges that impact your learning and life. You don’t need to be diagnosed, but you must have received some level of support for your challenges either at school, in your community, or at work.
- NApplicants must reside within the Halton-Hamilton area
- NYou must be willing and comfortable to share your own experiences of living with neurodiversity to support and empower other youth.
- NYou should have an energetic and enthusiastic attitude to motivate others.
- NYou can work independently with minimal supervision, with guidance, but can also work within a team.
- NYou are able to cope if things have to change at the last minute.
- NYou are a ‘good’ person, with a strong moral and ethical character
- NYou are willing to work with us for at least one year and to attend online or in-person events at least once per month
- NIf you have previous leadership experience that is great, but it is not required. We will provide training and support.
Time Commitment
- NPlanning and preparation for events, approximately 1-2 hours a week
- NAttendance at a 1-2 hour event once per month
- NBetween 5-10 hours a month
The Application Process
Fill Out the Application Form
If you are interested, please submit a letter, PowerPoint, video, piece of art, or essay on what being a Youth Ambassador for the Centre for Diverse Learners (CDL) means to you, and how you will utilize the experience to benefit your local community. This must be in your own words and must not be undertaken by an adult.
This position is a year-long commitment, beginning on January 8, 2024
All application forms must be filled out on HERE no later than December 20, 2023 by 5 PM.
If we think you might be a good fit, we will reach out to you between December 18-22 for an interview, to introduce ourselves and the work, learn more about you and why you want this position, and answer any questions you may have. After that, we will make our final decisions and communicate this to you by January 3, 2024.
