What we do

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Youth Ambassadors provides trauma-informed programming for Greater Kansas City youth (ages 14-18) through social emotional learning, trauma healing, and anti-violence programming. Our youth receive specialized training in Health & Wellness, Youth Entrepreneurship, Community Development, Life & Job Skills, and Creative Expression.  Ambassadors who have mastered social emotional learning curriculum are promoted to participate in paid work on community impact projects and internships. Our Teen Empowerment Project helps youth strengthen existing skills and uncover hidden talents, while unlocking their potential to serve as impactful citizens and future leaders of Greater Kansas City.

Specialty Activities include, expressive art and writing projects, violence prevention workshops (focusing on teen dating violence, restorative justice, conflict resolution and community violence), building employment portfolios, participating in mock job interviews with career professionals, and leading public conversations on major issues impacting our communities.

Examples of community impact projects include maintaining community gardens in food deserts, public art murals, neighborhood clean-ups, leadership on community health initiatives, and revitalizing urban green spaces.

Youth Ambassadors outcomes are strengthened through two main program objectives - to help youth strengthen processing & coping skills and to support their preparation for future career & educational opportunities. In 2023…

• 95% of our Ambassadors indicated they are better equipped to solve interpersonal conflicts utilizing nonviolent methods 
• 93% of our Ambassadors reported they are better prepared for future career and employment opportunities
• 79% of our Ambassadors demonstrated increased capacity for resilience after attending our program*

*Evidenced by a 1 point increase on the Social Emotional Assets and Resilience Scales- Adolescents (SEARS-A) when measuring self regulation, social competency, responsibility, and empathy.