Welcome to the Center for Emerging Leadership

California's State Youth Information, Training, and Resource Center

Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Developmental Disabilities

News and Headlines:   Peer Mentor Wanted

                                                                  Peer Mentor Application

Parent Training, Workshops, and Supports

Now Being Developed

Parent Training Flyer

Parent Training Registration Form

Our Vision:
Communities are enriched by the inclusion of capable and empowered people with diverse abilities.

Our Mission:
To support and educate youth and young adults through peer-to-peer mentorship as they transition into adulthood as leaders.

AMBASSADORS AND PEER MENTORS

Ambassadors and Peer Mentors are young adults (ages 18-30) with developmental disabilities who are paid employees of the Center.. They work in integraged community employment settings with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Ambassadors and Peer Mentors share their knowledge, insight and experience in self advocating for the things they have wanted or needed and give information about services that are available to help individuals with developmental disabilities to become more independent and better included in their communities..

What Do Ambassadors Do?

Ambassadors bring a higher public awareness about the abilities of people with developmental disabilities, by sharing their experience with Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination with the public. Ambassadors prepare and deliver presentations to advocacy groups, service providers, community agencies and organizations and at major annual conferences such as Cal TASH and the San Diego People First Self Advocacy Conference.

Interested in having a presentation made to your group?

Contact the Center at: (619) 594-3588 or

Send us an E-mail at: cel@interwork.sdsu.edu

What Do Peer Mentors Do?
The Peer Mentor assists with the day-to-day running of the Center, mentoring Youth (ages 13-17) and Emerging Leaders (ages 18-30). Peer Mentors help Youth and Emerging Leaders to become better self advocates. You can learn how to let your service providers know what you want to do. Peer Mentors can help Youth and Emerging Leaders to become more successful in their education, employment and community living.When asked, a Peer Mentor will go to IEP, ITP, or IPP meetings with the people they are supporting. The Peer Mentor forms a relationship with the people they support through:

• Contact by telephone;
• Contact by e-mail;
• Face to face meetings
• Advocacy with schools, families, and community programs

Who Needs a Peer Mentor?

• Youth (ages 13-17) and Emerging Leaders (ages 18-30) with developmental disabilities who want to make changes in their lives
• People who need someone to talk to
• People who want to learn to be better self-advocates

Now that you're ready for a Peer Mentor:
You can talk to a Peer Mentor by calling the Center for Emerging Leadership (CEL): (619) 594-3588. You can also send an E-mail to: cel@interwork.sdsu.edu to ask a Peer Mentor to contact you.

We Gladly Accept Donations to Support CEL!   

Donations may be made through the San Diego State University Research Foundation

simply tell them that the funds are to go the Center for Emerging Leadership

                     Now you can donate to CEL by shopping online!!!                             

Click on the iGive Button to begin  shopping at  iGive.com!

To Contact Us:                                                                           

Center for Emerging Leadership                  
cel@interwork.sdsu.edu

619.594.3588

Marjorie Olney, Ph.D., CRC                             

Project Director
619.594.6883
olney@interwork.sdsu.edu

Janice Goforth, M.S., CRC
Project Coordinator
619.594.1758
jgoforth@interwork.sdsu.edu