The JDRF Westchester/Fairfield/Hudson Valley Chapter’s Youth Ambassador (YA) program just celebrated their first year and what a year it was!  Our YAs participated in fundraising efforts, represented JDRF at community and chapter events, created thank you cards for our sponsors and volunteers, and made a huge difference in the impact JDRF makes on everyone living with T1D.

Here are just some of the highlights from the 2017-2018 YA Year:

21 of our 34 YAs were able to attend our YA Kickoff at the Microsoft Store in the Danbury Mall. The event included a review of the YA program, an opportunity to meet their fellow YAs and participate in an entertaining round of Diabetes Jeopardy!

30 YA members participated as One Walk Team Captains! These teams collectively raised over $179,000 at our 4 One Walk locations plus NYC! YAs were on hand at Milton, Danbury and Yonkers to share their stories and welcome the crowds at our One Walks.

YA members represented JDRF out in the community at: Montefiore’s Candy Exchange, Ridgefield BBQ Festival, New Milford’s Santa Run, Berkeley College and by thanking our Danbury One Walk Corporate Chair, Maura Ruby.

YA members were in attendance at the Annual Gala to volunteer their time helping with set up, greeting attendees, spotting auction bidders in the ballroom and sharing their stories as part of the Fund-a-Cure program.

Our YA members stopped in to say thank you to our National Sponsor Stop & Shop local store managers for their support of JDRF.

J. Crew hosted a JDRF Shopping Day and YA members volunteered to greet customers and thank them for their support of JDRF.

We look forward to another YA year, and we hope you’ll join us to support JDRF!

What is a Youth Ambassador?

• YAs are children and teens (ages 5-18) with T1D who are willing to share their story of life with the disease in an effort to increase awareness of T1D and the importance of raising funds for a cure.

What does a Youth Ambassador do?

• Stewarding Annual Gala and One Walk sponsors:
  • Create Thank You cards or craft items to send to sponsors.
  • Film Thank You videos to sponsors.
  • Visit offices of sponsors to deliver a Thank You gift.
  • Attend Gala to sell raffle tickets, greet guests, & participate during the Fund-a-Cure portion of the program.
  • Call auction winners and Fund-a-Cure donors in the week(s) following Gala.
• General:

  • 

    Attend third party fundraisers and One Walk Corporate Team Kickoffs to give speeches and raise awareness.

  • Visit corporate sponsor stores like Stop & Shop, Marshalls, and Advanced Auto to thank store managers.
  • Let us share your story for JDRF promotional tools (Why We Walk, Why Attend the Annual Gala, Fund-a-Cure video played night of Gala, etc.).
  • Attend and participate in One Walks, outreach events including TypeOneNation Summit, local Promise to Remember Me meetings (advocacy), and JDRF Children’s Congress.
• You are NOT required to participate in every event or YA opportunity.

What are the Youth Ambassador Requirements?

• Must be an active participant in the Westchester/Fairfield/Hudson Valley Chapter.
• If under 18, parents of the YA must give permission for their child to become an Ambassador and must be willing to support their child in this program and provide transportation to and from events and activities.
• The term limit is one fiscal year (July to June).  At the end of the next fiscal year you may let us know if you’d like to be considered again for the following year.
• As a YA you represent JDRF and are therefore not permitted to offer any opinion that is not in agreement or accordance with JDRF
• Once you apply and are accepted as a YA, you’ll need to provide a photo to the chapter which may be shared on our website, social media, and other chapter materials.

Click here to download our invite letter and info packet and click here to download the YA Application. If you have any questions, please contact Joan Benz at jbenz@jdrf.org or 203-854-0658.