The SPAN Youth Hub

Being a self-advocate means understanding what you need and feeling comfortable speaking up about it. At school, self-advocacy can help youth take a more active role in their education and make sure their voices are heard. This might include asking questions, sharing concerns, or explaining what helps them learn best.

We are excited to share a great opportunity from New Jersey's Division of Civil Rights. DCR Launches 2026-2027 Youth Ambassador Program DCR invites high school students with a passion for civil rights to apply to the 2026-2027 Youth Ambassador Program. This 9-month program empowers the next generation to work to eliminate bias and discrimination in their communities. DCR offers Youth Ambassadors mentorship, education, and leadership opportunities to encourage students to act as community change agents through education on the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. Participants will attend youth ambassador bi-monthly Monday evening meetings that will be tailored to participants’ civil rights-related interests. Applications are due by Sunday, September 20, 2026. Click here for program overview: https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-2027-Youth-Ambassador-Program.pdf Click here to apply: https://bit.ly/4A5xjaa

  Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September (Sept 7th in 2026) to recognize workers and the important jobs they do. From teachers and healthcare workers to construction workers and store employees, workers help our communities run every day. The holiday gives us a chance to appreciate their time, effort, and contributions. Labor Day also reminds us that workers deserve fair pay, safe working conditions, reasonable hours, and respect. Many workers fought for these rights so that workplaces could become safer and fairer. For youth, the holiday is a chance to learn about workers’ rights and consider what fairness and inclusion should look like in their future jobs. As youth begin thinking about future jobs and careers, Labor Day can also be a reminder to speak up for themselves and others in the workplace. Everyone, including workers with disabilities, should have equal opportunities, needed accommodations, and the chance to succeed. By learning about these rights now, ...

We are excited to share a great opportunity from our partners at the National Disability Institute (NDI). NDI is hosting an in-person Financial Wellness Training  event at The College of New Jersey on September 15–17, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Attendees will learn how to deliver effective financial wellness education to people with disabilities and their support networks. Please see the flyer below for more details. Register here: https://ndiinc.formstack.com/forms/fall2026_njtraining

A comfort zone is a place, situation, or routine where you feel safe, familiar, and confident. Staying within your comfort zone can feel comfortable because you know what to expect. However, always sticking with what feels familiar can sometimes make it harder to discover new interests, experiences, and abilities.

Learning new skills can help young adults become more confident, independent, and prepared for the future. While it is definitely helpful to build strong skills in one area, exploring different interests can create even more opportunities. Every new skill can become a useful tool for school, work, hobbies, and everyday life.