Clayton County Youth Ambassadors Can Earn Up to $1,000 Through Community Champions Program

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Applications Open for Clayton County Youth Ambassadors and Adult Community Champions

Clayton County high school students have a new opportunity to develop their leadership skills, represent the voices of local families, and earn a stipend of up to $1,000.

The Hand, Heart + Soul Project is accepting applications for its Community Champions Youth Ambassadors Policy Initiative. The program will bring together five students and two adults to explore how school nutrition and food access can better serve Clayton County students and families.

Applications Open for Clayton County Youth Ambassadors and Adult Community Champions Clayton County high school students have a new opportunity to develop their leadership skills, represent the voices of local families, and earn a stipend of up to $1,000. The Hand, Heart + Soul Project is accepting applications for its Community Champions Youth Ambassadors Policy Initiative. The program will bring together five students and two adults to explore how school nutrition and food access can better serve Clayton County students and families. Applications must be submitted by Friday, August 28, 2026. The program will run from September through April. Program Details * Five Youth Ambassador openings * Two Adult Community Champion openings * Up to a $1,000 stipend for participating youth * 12 interactive program sessions * Application deadline: August 28, 2026 * Program dates: September through April Who Can Apply as a Youth Ambassador? Youth applicants must: * Attend school in Clayton County and be in grades 9–12 * Have an interest in agriculture, school gardens, environmental science, STEM, nutrition, or food systems * Be comfortable sharing ideas and collaborating with a team * Have caregiver permission and reliable transportation Who Can Apply as an Adult Community Champion? Adult applicants may be Clayton County parents, caregivers, educators, school partners, or community members. Applicants should: * Be committed to supporting youth leadership and allowing young people to lead * Have an interest in school food, agricultural education, nutrition, or equitable food access * Be able to complete the required forms * Attend program sessions consistently Priority outreach is focused on students and adults connected to Clayton County agricultural pathways, school gardens, environmental science, STEM, culinary, or nutrition programs. What Will Participants Do? During the initiative, participants will: * Learn through 12 interactive sessions * Research the experiences of Clayton County students and families * Identify a school nutrition or food-access priority * Develop recommendations informed by youth perspectives * Present proposed solutions to decision-makers * Celebrate their leadership during a graduation ceremony The initiative focuses on policy education, youth voice, and systems change. Participation is not connected to political campaign activity. How to Apply Interested students and adults can complete the online application here⁠. The application deadline is August 28, 2026. For additional information, email connect@handheartsoulproject.org. The Hand, Heart + Soul Project⁠ works to strengthen Clayton County communities through nutrition education, access to nutrient-dense food, wellness initiatives, and policy education. Share Clayton County’s Story Residents are encouraged to visit and participate in the Best of Clayton County Community Gallery. Share photos that highlight the people, programs, businesses, and moments that make Clayton County special at www.bestofclaytoncounty.com/bethebestgallery. ❤️ Love Clayton County? Show your community pride by visiting our shop at www.bestofclaytoncounty.com/shop.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, August 28, 2026. The program will run from September through April.

Program Details

Five Youth Ambassador openings
Two Adult Community Champion openings
Up to a $1,000 stipend for participating youth
12 interactive program sessions
Application deadline: August 28, 2026
Program dates: September through April

Who Can Apply as a Youth Ambassador?

Youth applicants must:

Attend school in Clayton County and be in grades 9–12
Have an interest in agriculture, school gardens, environmental science, STEM, nutrition, or food systems
Be comfortable sharing ideas and collaborating with a team
Have caregiver permission and reliable transportation

Who Can Apply as an Adult Community Champion?

Adult applicants may be Clayton County parents, caregivers, educators, school partners, or community members.

Applicants should:

Be committed to supporting youth leadership and allowing young people to lead
Have an interest in school food, agricultural education, nutrition, or equitable food access
Be able to complete the required forms
Attend program sessions consistently

Priority outreach is focused on students and adults connected to Clayton County agricultural pathways, school gardens, environmental science, STEM, culinary, or nutrition programs.

What Will Participants Do?

During the initiative, participants will:

Learn through 12 interactive sessions
Research the experiences of Clayton County students and families
Identify a school nutrition or food-access priority
Develop recommendations informed by youth perspectives
Present proposed solutions to decision-makers
Celebrate their leadership during a graduation ceremony

The initiative focuses on policy education, youth voice, and systems change. Participation is not connected to political campaign activity.

How to Apply

Interested students and adults can complete the online application here⁠. The application deadline is August 28, 2026.

For additional information, email connect@handheartsoulproject.org.

The Hand, Heart + Soul Project⁠ works to strengthen Clayton County communities through nutrition education, access to nutrient-dense food, wellness initiatives, and policy education.

Share Clayton County’s Story

Residents are encouraged to visit and participate in the Best of Clayton County Community Gallery. Share photos that highlight the people, programs, businesses, and moments that make Clayton County special at www.bestofclaytoncounty.com/bethebestgallery.

❤️ Love Clayton County? Show your community pride by visiting our shop at www.bestofclaytoncounty.com/shop.