Welcome Youth Ambassadors and Parents

Meet Your 2025 Youth Ambassadors

Here’s a list of Wisconsin’s 2025 Youth Ambassadors, with photos and an explanation of why they wanted to be a Youth Ambassador this year.

Program Requirements

From January 1 to December 31, 2025, following are the expectations to be completed by each Youth Ambassador:

  • Volunteer a minimum of 5 hours to support Breakthrough T1D programs, stewardship activities, and/or events.
  • Attend a minimum of 3 in-person or virtual Breakthrough T1D events or other T1D awareness events (this includes your speaking engagement noted below).
  • Complete 1 fundraiser to benefit Breakthrough T1D (ie. Walk, Ride, DIY fundraiser, NDAM Champion, etc.).
  • Complete 1 speaking engagement – Share your T1D story in front of an audience.
  • Attend the virtual orientation in January, as scheduled by the chapter.

Activity Log

Please use this form to log your activity for the year. Every time you write a thank you note, make a video, or attend an event, fill out one form for each activity you complete – Youth Ambassador Activity Log.

Wisconsin Youth Ambassador Facebook Group

Access our private Wisconsin Youth Ambassadors Facebook Group here. We encourage you to post photos of your Youth Ambassador in action. You may also use this page to reach out to fellow Wisconsin Youth Ambassadors. Last minute requests for help will also be posted in this group.

Purchase Logo Apparel

If you’d like to add some Breakthrough T1D swag to your wardrobe, visit https://shop.breakthrought1d.org/products/apparel/.

 

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities:

The opportunities listed here will help Youth Ambassadors complete the program requirements for the year.  New events and opportunities will continue to be added throughout the year, so check back often.

 

Wisconsin Chapter Annual Celebrations!

We’ll provide updates on our activities and successes over the last fiscal year, along with exciting research advancements.  A Youth Ambassador will be a special addition to the program to highlight how you all serve the Chapter by creating awareness through sharing your T1D stories. Click here to see event highlights and to RSVP by June 6, 2025.

  • Sophia Van Straten – June 17, 5:30PM – Appleton area Annual Meeting (in person – Holidays Pub & Grill, 3950 N Richmond Street, Appleton)
  • June 18, 5:30PM – Milwaukee area Annual Meeting (in person – Delafield Brewhaus, 3832 Hillside Drive, Delafield)
  • Ryan Cashen – June 23, 5:30PM – Madison area Annual Meeting (in person – Hop Haus Brewing Company, 2975 Sub Zero Parkway, Fitchburg)

Bobby’s Bar – Entire month of July

You are encouraged to stop by Bobby’s Bar (14735 Lisbon Road, Brookfield) during July to have a meal and thank the owner, Bobby, for his dedication and support to Breakthrough T1D.  5% of sales during July are donated to Breakthrough T1D!

Youth Ambassadors can play an integral role in showing Breakthrough T1D’s appreciation for Bobby’s Bar’s ongoing support! During your visit, Youth Ambassadors are asked to introduce themselves to Bobby and share why his support is important to the Youth Ambassador and others impacted by T1D; why it makes a difference. Deliver the thank you note you’ve made, and get a photo with Bobby or another store employee. Send the photo to Anne Kahl at akahl@BreakthroughT1D.org to be posted on the Wisconsin Breakthrough T1D Facebook page.

Please REGISTER HERE to let me know you’ll be participating in this July campaign.

Milwaukee Walk Hype Party with the Milwaukee Brewers, July 12, 3:10pm

Join us for a day of team spirit, tailgating fun, and baseball as we rally for the Breakthrough T1D Milwaukee Walk happening on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Greenfield Park! We’re throwing a Walk Hype Party during the Brewers vs. Nationals game at American Family Field on Saturday, July 12, 2025!

Here’s what you can expect:
✓ Program updates and team tips
✓ Food, drinks, and tailgate vibes at Pavilions 1 and 2 (12:30 start)
✓ Two Brewers tickets (at no cost) for the first 50 Walk teams
✓ Access to $18 additional tickets for friends and family
✓ Exclusive contests for unforgettable Brewers experiences
✓ A whole lot of fun with fellow Walk teams!

Breakthrough T1D will have an awareness table on the field level near Guest Relations towards Right Field, and I’d love to have some Youth Ambassadors help me out for an inning.  The table will be staffed through the 5th inning.  We will be doing a trivia game with attendees.  Easy.  Just one inning each.  Should be a lot of fun 🙂 RSVP HERE by June 11 to potentially receive two free tickets to the game.  Purchase additional tickets HERE.

 

Breakthrough T1D Night with the Timber Rattlers – Appleton, July 12, 2025, 6pm

Join Breakthrough T1D at Neuroscience Group Field on Saturday, July 12th when the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers take on the South Bend Cubs at 6:40pm CT. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will give back $3 to Breakthrough T1D. The gates to the stadium open at 5:00pm CT and don’t forget to stick around for the postgame fireworks show. Get your tickets TODAY.

 

Breakthrough T1D Night with the Milkmen – Franklin, July 19, 2025, 6pm

Help support the Wisconsin Chapter of Breakthrough T1D with a fun evening out at the ballpark on July 19, as the Milwaukee Milkmen take on the Cleburne Railroaders at 6:00pm at Franklin Field. A portion of the proceeds for every ticket sold will be donated back to Breakthrough T1D. What better way to help support your local community and causes you care about than enjoying a summer evening at the ballgame!

Youth Ambassadors are needed to help welcome guests to the ballpark, sell 50/50 raffle tickets and sell ball toss balls.   Please purchase tickets to attend using this link.

Please also complete this registration form to let me know you plan to be an event volunteer for a portion of the game.

MaryKate Sullivan Memorial Golf Outing, July 19 – JULIA SCHMIDT has volunteered.

This event is held at the New Berlin Hills Golf Course with a shotgun start at 1pm. There are two options for Youth Ambassador Support:
    • Represent JDRF & Golf at the event – arrival time is noon
    • And/Or, join for dinner and share your T1D story from the podium during dinner – arrival time is 5:30pm.

Email Anne Kahl at akahl@breakthrought1d.org if interested in this opportunity.

 

T1D Family Day in Green Bay – July 25

Join Us for BT1D Family Day! Bring the whole family for a day full of learning, laughter, and connection with the T1D community! This no-cost event will be held at the beautiful Green Bay Botanical Gardens and will feature an inspiring keynote speech from Bill Davidson of Harley-Davidson, sharing his journey and passion for leadership.

Get ready for a morning of education, fun, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned for the full agenda! Register TODAY.

Madison Hype Party at the Mallards Game – July 31

Join us for the Madison Walk Hype Party at nonprofit night at the Mallards Ballpark! More details to come.

 

Youth Ambassador Summer Picnic – August TBD

If you’d like to help with planning the summer picnic, please contact Anne Kahl at akahl@breakthrought1d.org.

 

Stevens Point Walk – October 4, 2025

When registration opens, please register a team for this walk at Pffifner Park, and help us reach our fundraising goal! Please complete this FORM if you would like to volunteer instead (volunteer link coming soon).

 

Madison Walk – October 5, 2025

When registration opens, please register a team for this walk at McKee Farms Park, and help us reach our fundraising goal! Please complete this FORM if you would like to volunteer instead (volunteer link coming soon!).

 

Double Down for Diabetes – October 17, 2025 in Bristol, WI

This is an annual Texas Hold ‘Em tournament that benefits Breakthrough T1D.  It’s from 6-10pm, and they’d like a Youth Ambassador to share their T1D story at the event.  Exact time TBD.  You wouldn’t have to stay the entire time.

Location:  Bristol Oaks Golf Club, 16801 75th St, Bristol

Let Anne Kahl know at akahl@breakthrought1d.org if you’d like to share your T1D story at this event.

 

Milwaukee Walk – October 18, 2025

When registration opens, please register a team for this walk at Greenfield Park, and help us reach our fundraising goal! Please complete this FORM if you would like to volunteer instead (volunteer link coming soon!).

 

Youth Ambassador Holiday Events – November TBD

If you’d like to help with planning the holiday events, please contact Anne Kahl at akahl@breakthrought1d.org.

 

Bobby’s Bar – Entire month of November

You are encouraged to stop by Bobby’s Bar (14735 Lisbon Road, Brookfield) during November to have a meal and thank the owner, Bobby, for his dedication and support to Breakthrough T1D.  5% of sales during July are donated to Breakthrough T1D!

Youth Ambassadors can play an integral role in showing Breakthrough T1D’s appreciation for Bobby’s Bar’s ongoing support! During your visit, Youth Ambassadors are asked to introduce themselves to Bobby and share why his support is important to the Youth Ambassador and others impacted by T1D; why it makes a difference. Deliver the thank you note you’ve made, and get a photo with Bobby or another store employee. Send the photo to Anne Kahl at akahl@BreakthroughT1D.org to be posted on the Wisconsin Breakthrough T1D Facebook page.

Please REGISTER HERE to let me know you’ll be participating in this November campaign.

 

Additional Engagement Opportunities

Service Organization Opportunity – Share Your T1D Story and Fundraise!

Through this new initiative, YOU can share your story and earn donations to your Walk Team or other fundraiser! Service organizations like the Lions Clubs, Optimist Clubs, Rotary and more all invite guest speakers to their monthly meetings to help them learn about issues and opportunities in their communities.  We would like to share more with these groups about living with T1D and the mission of Breakthrough T1D and invite them to join our fight to cure type 1 diabetes, and we need your help!

You are encouraged to reach out to the clubs in your area and ask if you can be a guest speaker and share your T1D story. If a donation is made to Breakthrough T1D because of a presentation YOU did, that donation will be credited to your upcoming Walk team, Ride or DIY fundraiser – nice!

We have a flyer that you may use to reach out to different clubs.  Contact Anne Kahl if you’d like this flyer.  Complete this form if you did, or will be doing, a presentation for a service organization this calendar year.

Sharing Your T1D Story Resources

Here are worksheets that you may use to build your T1D story to share in front of an audience:

If you would like to view the 2024 virtual training video, please contact akahl@breakthrought1d.org.

 

Youth Advocacy Leader Program

Did you know that sharing your story can help drive meaningful changes on Capitol Hill and beyond? We need dedicated Breakthrough T1D Advocates–just like you–to help strengthen
our efforts to create a world without type 1 diabetes. As a Breakthrough T1D Youth Advocacy Leader (YAL), you can lend your voice on behalf of the T1D community to help support
legislation and policies that accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent, and treat T1D and its complications! Youth ages 17 and under are encouraged to apply (pro tip – it’s a terrific way to strengthen a Children’s Congress application!) Learn more and apply!

 

Young Adult Advocacy Council

The application to join the Young Adult Advocacy Council (YAAC) is currently closed. YAAC is a group of young adults who are business professionals, community leaders, and engaged students. These up-and-comers actively support the advancement of Breakthrough T1D’s advocacy priority areas, spread awareness of T1D within their communities, and inspire youth to use their voices and share their stories with key decision makers. Through their involvement, they drive meaningful progress on our path to cures for T1D. Learn more about the YAAC program and watch for application dates in the fall, visit HERE!