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.

speakhard5
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.

Youth Ambassadors on the dome

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.