Empowering our Youth (EOY)
“Young People Are Not the Problem, We Are the Solution”
disABILITY LINK’s Empowering Our Youth program is designed to support youth with disabilities from the ages of 14 to 29. The group is designed to support youth with disabilities as they transition to adult life.
The Empowering Our Youth program focuses on advocacy, life skills development, mentorship to others, and having fun.
Opportunities include:
- Independent Living Skills Training
- Accessing community resources
- Development of self-advocacy skills.
- Help to understand your rights and responsibilities as an adult
- Learning how to use the local bus line and other transportation resources
- Help understanding your educational options such as college or vocational training
- Support to find social and recreational opportunities
- Financial literacy training including budgeting and understanding your benefits
- Healthy relationships
- Civic engagement through classes, community participation and statewide groups
- Socialization skills
We offer several opportunities including:
Empowering Our Youth Peer Support Group
Meet fellow peers, age 14-29 within the disability community! Join us in our monthly gatherings to make new friends, learn, engage, advocate, and have fun!
3rd Saturday of each month
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Ages 14-19)
2:00 pm — 4:00 pm (Ages 20-29)
Location varies
Like our Facebook page or join our mailing list to stay updated on EOY meeting details, upcoming events, and fundraisers.
Empowering Young Adults Locating Employment Avenues through Peer Support
(Detailed information can be found under our Empowering Our Youth Link on the webpage or by contacting our youth department)
School Year:
disABILITY LINK Staff brings a curriculum specifically designed to meet the needs of students while working with the teachers. Our curriculum is based upon our regular 6-week course of 4. 5 hours with 22 lessons. Each lesson can be divided up into segments to be taught in increments as needed. We work with the teachers to customized what the curriculum would be while meeting the needs of the students.
Summer Programs:
disABILITY LINK brings a curriculum specifically designed for youth to gain different learning experiences. This summer we are excited to announce that our classes will be held five days a week. These sessions focus on a variety of activities including:
· Job exploration counseling;
· Work-based learning experiences;
· Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in postsecondary educational programs;
· Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living;
· Instruction in self-advocacy.
Parents, caregivers and other natural supports Peer-led groups
disABILITY LINK offers opportunities and peer led groups for parents, caregivers, and other natural supports to provide useful information and support as their youth transitions into adulthood. Contact us for dates and times at jnelson@disabilitylink.org.
Collaborations and other partnerships
Additional information for these can be found on our webpage or by contacting jnelson@disabilitylink.org
- disABILITY LINK/AAPD Summer Internship Program
- Empowering our Youth LEAPS in difficult times (Fulton County)
Funding provided in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development CSP Program
Other Information:
Support our Youth:
Support our youth to attend events, explore our community, and make valuable peer connections. See our donation page for more information.