Alabama YLF

ADPH Title V Focus Group: Women with Disabilities Share Your Story. Help Shape the Future. The Alabama Department of Public Health wants to know what matters to you as they plan for the next 5 years. If you are a woman between the ages of 18 and 45 who self-identifies with any type of disability, please join us for a focus group to help identify ho...

Year 21 for the Alabama Youth Leadership Forum has come to a close. The final day is always bittersweet for delegates who are happy to see their families but sad to say goodbye to new friends.
The group enjoyed their final moments together before packing up their belongings and parting ways. Though they may have headed to their many different hometowns, many vowed to stay in touch and return to Troy University for the 22nd edition in 2020.

A trip to Montgomery highlighted day four of this year’s Youth Leadership Forum. The students traveled to the Alabama State Capitol where they had an opportunity to learn how legislation is proposed and passed.
A tour of the building provided the delegates with a lesson in Alabama history and an opportunity to learn more about the men and women who paved the way for the future.
The final stop of the day at the RSA Activity Center included a mentor luncheon featuring guest speaker and Auburn University student Stephen Lanzi. Lanzi encouraged the delegates to always stay positive and be the best version of themselves.

Day three of the 21st Youth Leadership Forum at Troy University was an enlightening experience for the delegates.
The group gained valuable information concerning healthcare transitions and taking the next steps toward becoming independent college students and citizens.
Later Tuesday morning, the delegates welcomed a panel of mentors who opened their eyes to a few key steps to living on their own.
Career exploration took center stage after lunch. This session outlined the do’s and don’ts of resume writing, interviews, and budgeting.

The 21st Youth Leadership Forum roared into day two at Troy University Monday, June 3, with a full day of fun activities and interesting topics. The group conducted extensive discussions on the good and bad qualities of a leader and later learned about self-advocacy.
The afternoon included an etiquette lesson at lunch, programs to help the delegates find direction in their lives and careers, and the creation of posters outlining their ideas for the future.

Day 1 was busy and filled with fun!

The 21st Youth Leadership Forum got off to a magnificent start Sunday at Troy University. The five-day event – sponsored by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services – seeks to equip high school students with disabilities with valuable leadership skills through sessions on self-esteem, career exploration, technology, independent living, and etiquette.
Other sponsors include the Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities, the State Department of Education, and the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
YLF delegates are chosen through a statewide search for students displaying leadership potential. Those selected represent the state’s demographics in terms of geography, gender, ethnicity and type of disability. To be eligible, an individual must be a high school junior or senior with a disability who is between 17 and 21 years old.

The fifth and final day of the Alabama Governor's Youth Leadership Forum was emotional for everyone. It was a day filled with smiles and tears as the delegates said farewell to their new friends. Though the program ended early Thursday afternoon, the friendships will last a lifetime.

The fourth day of the Alabama Governor's Youth Leadership Forum gave delegates an opportunity to interact with state leaders and learn more about Alabama history. The visit to Montgomery included a trip to the State House, Capitol and a luncheon with mentors.

The third day of the Alabama Governor's Youth Leadership Forum at Troy University was a day of inspiration. Guest speakers helped the group realize they have no limitations. Other visitors helped prepare the audience for the challenges that come with living on your own.

The second day of the Alabama Governor’s Youth Leadership Forum on the campus of Troy University was eventful. Participants had the opportunity to outline the characteristics of good leaders, explore their career and college options and visit T Roy.