What is the T1D Connections Program?

The T1D Connections Program is a resource available to the T1D community that connects individuals to others who understand what it is like to live with T1D.  Through these connections JDRF volunteers provide emotional support and guidance while also helping families and individuals to become acquainted with JDRF in a meaningful way.

Individuals are matched in their time of need with an Outreach Volunteer (OV), who can relate because they too have a personal connection to the disease and understand the challenges at different stages within the T1D journey. The T1D Connections Program serves in fostering early meaningful relationships as well as ensuring newly diagnosed individuals/families are aware of all that JDRF has to offer in terms of both resources and opportunities to positively impact our mission.

Who are Outreach Volunteers?

JDRF OV’s play the very important lead role in building early relationships with newly diagnosed individuals/families– welcoming, supporting, guiding, and connecting them to the larger T1D community and JDRF.  This is accomplished through relationship building activities throughout the first twelve months post-diagnosis, including making introductory phone calls, sending periodic emails, making invitations to attend and meet at chapter events, and identifying opportunities for further engagement as advocates, volunteers, and fundraisers.

The T1D Connections Program brings people together to become a part of the T1D community and the JDRF family with the promise that no one is in this alone!

To learn more about becoming an Outreach Volunteer or connecting with one, please contact Joan Benz at 203-854-0658 or jbenz@jdrf.org

Special thanks to our sponsor

JDRF’s T1D Connections Program is supported by an educational grant from Lilly.