Empowering Our Youth

05/29/2026

FREE summer camp for students with disabilities working on job explorations, self advocacy skills, peer support and more!

We are starting back up at DisABILITY LINK for next week June 1st!!

See you there! :)

05/28/2026

Exciting News!! Our summer program is starting back up next week on June 1st!

The Summer Program helps support learning, interactive activities, workplace readiness, job exploration, peer support, and more!

Our Summer program is open to 2 groups:

Youth ages 10–14
Youth and young adults ages 15–22

Both virtual and in-person options are available.

In-Person Location:
1901 Montreal Road, Suite 102
Tucker, GA 30084

Virtual:

Class ID: 4046878891
Passcode: 1901
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4046878891

We look forward to seeing you there!

05/27/2026

Parent Group happening tomorrow May 28th discussing services and opportunities for youth!!

To join there is a barcode on the first flyer to scan attached to join the meeting for 5:30pm.

05/06/2026

Planet Fitness has announced that all teenagers (age 14 to 19) can work out for FREE all summer long, at any gym location. The summer pass will be valid from June 1st through August 31st in 2026.

Summer Pass participants will have access to free workouts designed specifically for high-schoolers by downloading the Planet Fitness app.

Here’s how the High School Summer Pass works:

Pre-register now. Get a head start on your summer fitness program by pre-registering, starting May 18, 2026.

Download the Planet Fitness app. Create an account using the same e-mail you used to register and explore all Planet Fitness has to offer before your digital club pass becomes available on June 1st.

Get started. Use your in-app digital club pass to work out at your home club for FREE from June 1 to Aug. 31, 2026. (Teens can only work out at the Planet Fitness location where they signed up.)

NOTE: Teens under the age of 18 must register with a parent or guardian. However, once completely registered (including signing the waiver), teens can work out alone.
For more info and to register, you can visit the Planet Fitness Summer Pass web page.

Calling all teens: Join us in Summer 2026! Planet Fitness is offering a free summer membership for high school students. Get the High School Summer Pass.

05/05/2026

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We are sharing an Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship opportunity for DeKalb youth and young adults ages 16–24. This short, four-week program offers participants who meet eligibility requirements the chance to earn OSHA-10 and Forklift Certification at no cost.

Program schedule:
Start date: May 26, 2026
Days: Tuesday and Thursday evenings
Location: Clarkston, GA
Duration: 4 consecutive weeks
Attendance is strongly encouraged for all classes, as missing a class limits learning and can impact certification readiness.
Eligibility requirements:
Ages 16–24
High school diploma and/or GED (ESL participants welcome)
Driver’s License required (participants cannot attend and be certified for the Forklift class without it)
Approximately 8 slots available
Enrollment deadline: May 15, 2026
If you would like your youth to be considered, please email Charles Boyd (boydc@gptc.edu) your youth’s full name, age, school (if applicable), and a phone number, and indicate that you received this information from the Office of Youth Services.

04/29/2026

These are some great opportunities:

Walton Family Weekend Walton Family Weekend, held October 16-18, 2026 at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, Georgia, is designed to provide opportunities for families to engage in recreational activities in […]

03/17/2026

APPLICATIONS for the Little Lobbyists internship program are now LIVE

We are seeking applicants who are self-advocates or who have lived experience with disability, including caregivers, siblings, or family members of people with disabilities.

APPLY TODAY —>

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

03/12/2026

In Lesson 6, students explored Communication skills and different ways of communicating.

Students became more aware on body language, verbal/nonverbal communication, written communication and why each skill is important in different scenarios.

We all communicate in many ways, this lesson helped students navigate their strengths and weaknesses through communication.

03/12/2026

Students completed Lesson 5 on Self Advocacy!

Very fun lesson on speaking up when needing help and practicing scenarios on who can help.

02/13/2026

Pathways To Partnership sessions are moving fast!
Students have completed career inventories for Lesson 3 and discussed why it is important to explore and find out more about themselves.

I also wanted to announce Empowering Our Youth will be meeting February 18th at 3pm-5pm, in person and virtually.
Topics about Overcoming Challenges and Discussing Resources for Youth, stay tuned~