Overcoming challenges and reaching goals is a lot easier when you have the support of friends or mentors. JDRF and CarbDM are proud to announce our newest joint program, Dia-Buddies, a youth mentor program that will bring together teens (ages 14-19, diagnosed with T1D a minimum of 2 years) with children, tweens, and teens, (ages 10-16), in fun social settings. At each Dia-Buddies event, mentors will organize and run a variety of activities, thereby serving as role models for the buddies.

By adopting a group approach instead of the traditional one-on-one mentor-buddy relationship, the program allows mentors and buddies to foster relationships organically, giving everyone more opportunities to make connections and expand their network or support.

Now enrolling buddies! Anyone between the ages of 10 – 16, whether newly diagnosed or not, including siblings, is welcome to enroll as a buddy in the program. Sign up here to be a buddy in the program. Because of the group format, buddies can become unofficial mentors as well. Your knowledge and experience is a valuable asset to the group!

Interested in becoming a mentor? Sign up here to become a mentor and earn community service hours to boot!

Contact Stephanie Nelson at 415-597-6303 or at snelson@jdrf.org for more information.