Amputee Coalition is happy to announce its Youth Engagement Program (YEP), which aligns with our mission to reach out to and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential through education, support, and advocacy and to promote limb loss prevention. Our core values of service, respect, encouragement, integrity, and excellence represent our work and commitment to underrepresented youth and teens with limb loss and limb difference. Data shows nearly 70,000 children live with limb loss or limb difference in the U.S. and the Amputee Coalition’s YEP is dedicated to meet their needs so they can be effective in their lives.
Amputee Coalition’s YEP includes life skills resources, education and training, youth camp, workforce development and mentorship. Our vision is to expand our reach to African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Pacific Islanders, and LGBTQ youth and teens with limb loss or limb difference by developing a technology platform to share life skills and training programs, provide mentoring, and a career dashboard for summer job opportunities.
Life Skills Resources
Our National Limb Loss Resource Center (NLLRC) offers programs and publications designed to help youth return to an active lifestyle and function as productive members of society.
Education and Training
We seek to grow Youth Lead Advocates who are advocacy volunteers that have undergone specific training about issues facing the limb loss and limb difference community, our policy priorities, and skills to be effective advocates. Amputee Coalition provides additional training and education for Youth Peer Support and Leaders In-Training.
Youth Camp
Camp creates a space for Campers, Leaders In-Training, and Counselors to have fun, connect, and make lifelong friendships, so no one goes through the limb loss or limb difference journey alone. We have exciting activities, including sports, creative arts, and STEM projects.
Career Development
The Amputee Coalition’s Workforce Development Program is designed to assist youth participants within the limb loss or limb difference community with transitioning back into the workforce or starting their journey into the workforce. The Workforce Development Program includes programs and services such as assistance with resume and cover letter writing, workshops and webinars on job-related topics, mock interview assistance, and resources for employers on how to diversify their workplace.
Mentorship
Amputee Coalition’s Youth Mentorship Program provides youth amputees with mentors who can develop an emotional bond with the mentee, have greater experience than the mentee, and can provide support, guidance, and opportunities to help youth succeed in life and meet their goals.
With our focus on empowerment, engagement, and advocacy, the YEP highlights the importance of diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to helping youth and teens with limb loss and limb difference, provide resources, programs, and support for them to achieve their life dreams, and build their leadership skills through our Leaders In-Training programs.
Through YEP, we aim to partner with corporations and foundations to help us engage more youth ages 10-17 in our initiatives focused on leadership development, self‑awareness, job placement, sports, and a healthy lifestyle for youth living with limb loss and limb difference.
Join us in spreading the word about YEP! For more information, visit www.amputee-coalition.org or email yep@amputee-coalition.org.