LEAD FORWARD Program

About the training

APRIL announces Lead Forward, a new year-round program inspired by the success of Lead On. Designed for youth with disabilities, Lead Forward will help participants expand their knowledge of disability-related topics, build leadership skills, and prepare for greater independence.

Why Lead Forward?

Youth are constantly navigating transitions—whether it’s moving between schools, forming more complex relationships, preparing for college, starting a career, or gaining independence.

As APRIL’s Coordinator of Youth Services, Harm Tarrant has designed Lead Forward to offer tools and support to help youth thrive through these transitions and become confident leaders in their communities.

What to Expect

Lead Forward will include:

Interactive Workshops with topics that include:

-Disability History
-LGBTQIA+ History
-Advocacy Skills
-Neurodivergence
-Mental Wellness
-Communication
-Internet Safety

Each workshop will feature engaging subtopics to ensure a deep understanding of the material.

Mentorship Program

-Youth can apply to be either a mentor or mentee.
-Mentors will support their mentees by explaining topics, sharing advocacy strategies, and providing resources. You’ll also receive guidance and support from APRIL’s Coordinator of Youth Services.
-Mentees will gain a trusted ally and resource to help them grow as leaders.

Discord Community
A dedicated Discord server will allow participants to continue discussions, collaborate on projects, and connect with peers in a safe and supportive space.

When Does It Start?

Lead Forward kicks off on January 10th, 2025, at 4:30 PM PST/7:30 PM EST. Sessions will take place every other Friday for 1.5 hours.

Register today at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEld-yurzgpGdCMfbS0gKnPo--aS1C...