Hi Readers!
I’m Christopher Pepper, an award-winning health educator and the co-author of the bestselling book Talk To Your Boys.
Recently I’ve heard about some amazing youth leadership opportunities that I wanted to share with you. Please check them out and pass along to the young people in your life. Feel free to share widely!
Writing this newsletter is something I do in addition to my full-time job as public school teacher. It takes time and focus, and I hope you find it useful! The best way to show your support is to become a paid subscriber. It’s a bargain (only $5 a month!), and even less if you use this 30% off coupon.
Apply To Next Gen Men’s Streamer Academy
Next Gen Men’s Streamer Academy is a paid incubator for young men who want to build a real presence in gaming, and become role models worth following. It’s part of Equimundo’s and Movember’s Young Men and Media Collective.
When? Oct 2026-March 2027
Who is elligible? Young men ages 19-25 across Canada and the United States.
What is the pay?
$1,800 CAD a month, every month you’re in the program. Here’s how they pitch it: “Most streamer academies sell you a course or take a cut. We’re doing the opposite. You’re not buying anything, and you keep your channel, your revenue and your brand. That’s what makes this an incubator rather than a course: the investment goes into you.”Details:
Next Gen Streamer Academy runs online over six months. You’ll have a short live training every week and a curriculum portal open 24/7 to access past sessions and resources.
You’ll learn what goes on behind the scenes to stay grounded as a competitive gamer: mindfulness and keeping your head under pressure, resilience and learning from mistakes, and the discipline behind developing your skill in the game.
Application: academy.nextgenmen.ca
Deadline Note: The deadline listed online may be different, but the organizers are accepting applications through Sunday, Sept. 27.
PSST - Looking for similar opportunities for younger boys?
Check out this post about Next Gen Men’s Discord Server for boys:
Join The Representation Project’s Rep Collective
The Representation Project is expanding its Youth Advisory Council into the Be A Rep Collective, a national organizing community-network program for youth gender justice advocates across the United States.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Launching in Fall 2026, the Be A Rep Collective brings together young people ages 14–25 with different experiences, identities, perspectives, communities, and levels of organizing experience from across the nation. This program is an opportunity for youth advocates who want to build community, strengthen their leadership and organizing skills, and advance gender justice.
The Collective Details:
Who: Gender justice advocates in the US
Time: Approximately 4 hours of program activities per month
Eligibility: Between the ages of 14–25
Compensation: Earn a completion award of up to $750 for completing the full program.
You do not need to be an experienced activist or community organizer to apply.
Application deadline: September 30, 2026 (but The Representation Project will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis!)
APPLY HERE: https://forms.gle/CqeBb11uDh6NKzrx5
Join NoSo’s Youth Leadership Initiative
Calling all young people who are passionate about digital wellbeing, mental health, and youth advocacy! 🗣️
NoSo Connection Collective is now recruiting its 2026-27 cohort of youth leaders!
The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) is a four-month leadership program for young people aged 15 - 22 who are passionate about digital wellbeing and want to create positive change in their own community!
The youth cohort promotes and participates in NoSo November’s Detox Movement, creates spaces for offline connection within their communities, and advocates or digital wellbeing! Project opportunities include organizing community events, creating art/content/music, writing blogs/op-eds, and much more in partnership with our program partner, Hopelab.
Visit nosonovember.org/yli to learn more about the YLI and apply for this upcoming cohort by September 27th!
Apply For The Born This Way Foundation’s Global Youth Advisory Board
Born This Way Foundation is building out its international Youth Advisory Board (2027-’28 cohort)! Here’s what they say:
We are searching for young people ages 15-24 who are passionate about mental health. Whether you are a leader already making an impact in your community or a young person passionate about mental health seeking an opportunity to get involved, we want to hear from you!
Our team of Youth Advisors will play a pivotal role in the planning and execution of research, programs, and campaigns core to our mission. These Youth Advisors will have the opportunity to be a part of Born This Way Foundation’s legacy and be ambassadors of our work in their communities and beyond.
To view full requirements and learn more about the application timeline, please visit our website.
California Teens: Join TeenSource’s Youth Advisory Board
Teensource is looking for California young people between 15 -21 years old to join its Youth Advisory Board to be an expert in their experience to share their thoughts, ideas, and questions to help make TeenSource more representative of YOU!
TeenSource is a hub for teens to get information about sexual and reproductive health written by and for California youth. TeenSource.org centers the voices of teens in California and is regularly updated to make sure you have the latest youth-friendly information about birth control, STIs, LGBTQ+ issues, and healthy relationships. TeenSource works to engage and empower California teens in collaborative activities that respect and value youth perspectives and promote greater health access and equity for youth statewide.
You can learn more and apply through September 30th at:
teensource.org/hookup/apply-join-2025-2026-youth-advisory-board