Teenage years can be a tough time, and diabetes brings extra challenges. The Teen Meetup Group provides teens, ages 13-18, an opportunity to connect, share tips and make new friends.

This group is an opportunity to build connections with peers who also have T1D while participating in fun social activities at a variety of venues throughout the chapter territory. It’s also a great way to learn from each other and share helpful and practical information about life with T1D.

We’ll be hosting several events during the year and here’s a preview:

• Bowling Night
• Cooking class
• Escape Room Night
• Indoor Ropes
• Hiking or Rail Trail
• Game Night

Our focus will be on fun, making lifelong connections and offering support to teens whether you are newly diagnosed or have had T1D since you were a little kid. Our facilitators all grew up with T1D and would have loved the opportunity to connect with others and now wish to help make that happen for you!

Meet the facilitators: Michael Grasso, Certified Fitness Trainer, diagnosed at age 4; Nina Juan, graduate student, diagnosed at age 11; Cody Krawec, Registered Dietitian, diagnosed at age 9; Shaylyn Maloney, JDRF Development Coordinator and graduate student, diagnosed at age 4; Joe McCue, Realtor and JDRF Board Member, diagnosed at age 4.

Parents and Teens, if you have any questions about the JDRF Teen Meetup Group, contact Joan Benz, Outreach Manager at jbenz@jdrf.org or 203-854-0658.