Contact your local Prevention Resource Center to find out more about what’s going on in your community and how you can make a difference!
Get a map or see list of locations
Get a map or see list of locations
EMPOWERING YOUTH ACTION IS OUR MISSION
The Youth Ambassador Program collects the enthusiasm and drive of Missouri’s youth leaders and empowers them with
- Foundational prevention knowledge
- Advocacy competencies
- Transferable leadership skills
Since founding in 2010, the Youth Ambassador Program has served as a catalyst for change in the lives on dozens of youth, inspiring a new generation of prevention leaders to ask the question
How will I
change the world?
OUR STORY
9
Trainings and meetings each year on prevention topics
3
Annual events hosted by Youth Ambassadors
9
Youth selected each year, one from each MSHP Troop
1
Year-long prevention project for youth
1
Annual programmatic fundraising event held
12
Years of shaping young minds for youth prevention
OUR EVENTS
PREVENTION DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Each January, prevention leaders from across Missouri convene at the Missouri State Capitol for a day of prevention advocacy. Youth leaders
network with legislators, ensuring every Missouri legislator receives materials on information that matters most to them – youth safety and drug, alcohol, and risky behavior prevention.
SPEAK HARD
The pinnacle event for Missouri’s youth prevention leaders, Speak Hard is a daylong event filled with workshops, speakers, networking, and activities all centered around youth prevention and leadership. Held each spring in Jefferson City, this event encourages
collaboration among youth on relevant prevention topics.
COMING FALL 2023 | YOUTH SAFETY SUMMIT
A new event by ACT Missouri, the Youth Safety Summit will serve as the catalyst event for change each fall with a focus on traffic safety and distracted driving. Youth will engage in a one-day, online event with presentations and guest speakers that highlight state- and nationwide initiatives and programs.
THE PROGRAM
YOUTH AMBASSADORS
Youth Ambassadors are Missouri’s student leaders in youth prevention.
- Learn from prevention specialists in nine education trainings
- Communicate observations of emerging youth issues
- Provide training and resources to other youth groups and coalitions
- Lead and facilitate all general sessions at Speak Hard Advocate with legislators at Prevention Day at the Capitol
- Develop and execute a statewide youth-centric prevention project
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications open each spring via ACT Missouri and Missouri SADD. Students are encouraged to complete the application process via an online form.
Students will need to answer general application questions and have a school photo, list of activities and accomplishments, and answer a short essay on drug and alcohol prevention. A parent or guardian will
need to sign off the application.
Applications are due May 2, 2022. Selected students will be informed of their selection by May 9, 2022.
STATEWIDE ACTION COUNCIL
Collectively, the Youth Ambassadors make up the Statewide Action Council (SAC). While each student will represent their Troop’s respective counties, they will collectively complete programs and activities. Youth Ambassadors may also play a role as a SAC leader.
- President
- VP of Engagement
- VP of Programming
- VP of Leadership & Events
SELECTION PROCESS
One youth leader is selected each year from the counties served by each of Missouri’s nine MSHP Troops. If multiple students apply from one Troop, they may be assigned a different Troop to observe during their tenure. Each of these nine students will serve a one-year term as a Youth Ambassador, beginning August 1 and concluding May 31.
PROGRAM CONTACT
For more information, please contact SADDCoordinator Chris Dzurick at cdzurick@actmissouri.org.