About the JDRF Youth Ambassador Program

The Youth Ambassador Program (YA) was created to develop youth leaders within the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. Youth Ambassadors inspire others by sharing their T1D story, raise awareness for JDRF, educate the broader community about T1D, and directly impact JDRF’s mission to create a world without T1D.

The program is comprised of children and teens (ages 5-18) with T1D who share their story of life with the disease in an effort to create deeper awareness of the JDRF mission and to help the community understand the importance of funds for a cure. This program also offers opportunities for members to develop leadership skills, build confidence in talking about T1D, connect with peers living with T1D, and much more.

What does a Youth Ambassador Do?

• Represent JDRF at educational and community events
  • Examples: chapter programs, school events, health fairs, congressional meetings, retail give back days
• Thank donors and volunteers
  • Examples: video messages, card writing, phone calls, awards
• Share your T1D story to inspire others
  • Examples: social media profile, school presentation, corporate sponsor meetings, hospitals, media interviews, staffing a table at events
• Make your best effort to attend and support chapter educational and social activities
• Attend (in-person or virtual) research updates to stay current on the progress JDRF is making in curing, treating and preventing T1D

If you have any questions, please contact: Betsy Paffmann, Senior Manager, Community Engagement.