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Self-Advocacy at School: Asking for the Support You Need

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. Self-Advocacy Introduction Asking for support does not mean that you cannot do something on your own. Everyone learns differently, and some youth may need accommodations, extra explanations, assistive technology, or other types of support to succeed. Learning how to explain your needs to teachers, counselors, and other trusted adults can help make school feel more manageable and give you a stronger voice in decisions about your education. A helpful video for learning more is “Self-Advocacy Introduction” from the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre. The video was created for students from grades 5–10, and focuses on students with disabilities such as learning disabilit...
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NJ DCR's Youth Ambassador Program

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
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Why Labor Day Matters: Honoring Workers and Their Rights

  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, ...
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NDI's Put Financial Wellness Knowledge Into Action

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
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Taking Steps Outside of Your Comfort Zone

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.
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Building New Skills for a Brighter Future

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.
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Learning for Life: Building Curiosity and Confidence

Lifelong learning, or continuous learning, can be defined as the "ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated" pursuit of learning, for either personal or professional reasons. Learning doesn't stop when school ends. In fact, some of the most important lessons happen through everyday experiences, hobbies, jobs, and meeting new people.
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