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Youth Engagement Program

Now Open for Junior Champions and Youth Champions

The MOG Project is dedicated solely to MOGAD through research, education, public policy, and a global community of patients and families. The Youth Engagement Program is how children and parents join that work. Since we started the program, being a Children’s Ambassador or Youth Champion with The MOG Project has been an honor — a way to recognize a child’s courage, or the quiet strength of a sibling supporting someone they love. We’re keeping that spirit, and building something more: a real program that teaches kids and teens what it means to be a MOGADvocate.

The MOG Project’s Youth Engagement Program is here! This free program helps young people build their voice as MOGADvocates, and it’s built around the whole family. Children and teens share their stories, raise awareness and take on projects that move us toward our goals: shortening the time to diagnosis, advancing research and ensuring safe and effective treatments for people living with MOGAD. Parents and guardians are partners every step of the way.

The program welcomes children living with MOGAD, as well as the siblings, children and close friends of someone with MOGAD.

Why this program exists

Shortening the time from a child’s first symptoms to a correct diagnosis is one of our core goals. The Youth Engagement Program puts children and families at the center of that work.

  • Kids build their voice. Junior and Youth Champions learn to speak up for their own health, or for a sibling or parent, and practice real advocacy skills along the way.
  • Parents advance the field. Families bring lived experience to research and public policy. 
  • Every family joins a larger mission. Today The MOG Project delivers research grants, clinical trial information, patient-experience surveys, a MOGAD Learning Center, parent support groups, the Family Newsletter, and the US MOGAD Patient Summit. 100% of donations go to MOGAD research unless a donor directs otherwise.

This is a partnership with your whole family. Your child builds confidence and advocacy skills; you help advance the field. Parents and guardians stay in the loop at every step, and the Parent Advisory Committee (now forming) gives families a direct voice in how the program grows.

Have questions? Email us anytime at family@mogproject.org.

Two Tracks

Junior Champions (Ages 5–11)

Junior Champions share their stories in our newsletters, on social media or at the Summit. Each year, they complete one simple activity, like presenting our “What Is MOGAD?” sheet at school or sharing a ready-made social media post. There are no calls and no ongoing time commitment. Junior Champions are also invited to the Summit and local events. When they turn 12, they can move up to the Youth Champions track.

Youth Champions (Ages 12+)

Youth Champions join a 45-minute online call each month from October through August (with no call in December). They also complete one fundraising, awareness or service project each year. Youth Champions who complete the program year receive a Certificate of Achievement, verified volunteer service hours and recognition at the Summit.

Our Youth Engagement Program is completely free, and nominating your child today doesn’t lock you into anything. We’ll share the exact schedule and everything else your family needs to know well before your child’s participation begins. (Full program structure will be shared in October 2026.)

Nominate your Child

Nominations are open year-round. Nominating your child is free and doesn’t commit your family to anything. Fill out the form below, and we’ll follow up by email with next steps.

Nominee Info

Parent/Guardian Info

Consent

By submitting this form, I confirm that I am the parent or legal guardian of the child named above, and I give permission for them to participate in The MOG Project’s Youth Engagement Program (Junior Champions or Youth Champions track, as applicable).

I understand that participation may include virtual sessions, fundraising or awareness activities, etc. I agree to The MOG Project contacting me directly with further details before any participation.

I give The MOG Project permission to use my child’s name, photo, and story — as shared through this program — in newsletters, social media, the website, and other MOG Project materials, unless I notify The MOG Project otherwise in writing.

I can withdraw my child from the program at any time by contacting The MOG Project directly.

Already enrolled?

Welcome! Check your inbox for the toolkit. Didn’t get it or have questions? Email us at family@mogproject.org.