Building Belonging, Leadership & Change

At EmpowerMT, we believe in healing-centered, youth-led leadership grounded in belonging, meaning, well-being, and purpose. From elementary classrooms to high school students, our programs equip young people with tools to understand identity, disrupt systemic oppression, and lead transformative change.

Youth & Schools

2025 Empowering Youth Leadership Institute

A Free Leadership Camp for High School Students & Educators
This 3-day overnight experience brings together students and adults across Montana to develop powerful leadership and facilitation skills. Participants leave with the tools to foster inclusion in their communities—and may join our team of peer trainers for the school year.

✅ FREE to attend
🛏️ Lodging + Meals Provided
📜 OPI/PIR credit + Educator Stipends
📣 Co-lead EmpowerMT programs

➡️ Register now or contact youth@empowermt.org

Programs for Every Age

We offer a full leadership journey—from early elementary to high school graduation.

Elementary & Middle School

  • All My Neighbors Training (Upper Elementary)
    Builds empathy, celebrates diversity, and teaches peacekeeping skills.

  • Building Bridges, Activating Allies Training (Middle School)
    Helps students understand bias and build allyship and belonging.

  • EPIC (Empowering People Inspiring Change)
    A year-round after-school club focused on identity, confidence, and student-led action.

High School & Youth Advisory Council

  • Empowering Youth Leadership Institute
    A 3-day summer camp where students and educators build facilitation, inclusion, and leadership skills—at no cost. Meals, lodging, educator stipends, and OPI/PIR credits are provided.

  • Youth Advisory Council (YAC)
    Graduates of the Institute can apply to join YAC, a youth-led team that co-designs workshops, trains peers, and shapes inclusive school culture across Montana.

  • Leadership Training
    Helps students celebrate identity, unlearn bias, and practice real-world allyship to address discrimination and create change.

Affinity Groups for Connection & Identity

  • Be You Crew (5th–8th grade)

  • Youth Forward (9th–12th grade)
    Safe, empowering spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to find support and celebrate identity.

  • ABY: Association for Black, Indigenous & Youth of Color
    Leadership and community-building rooted in racial justice and inclusive history.

For Educators & Youth Workers

We offer professional development workshops that build inclusive, healing-centered school environments.

Topics include:

  • Fostering Belonging in Youth Spaces

  • LGBTQ+ Inclusion & Affirmation

  • Identity & Implicit Bias in the Classroom

Request custom trainings or join public workshops.

GSA Network Support
Whether you're a student starting a GSA or an educator looking to strengthen one, EmpowerMT provides tools and support to help GSAs thrive.

We offer:

  • Resources for student leaders and faculty advisors

  • Facilitation and leadership training

  • Inclusion & advocacy workshops

  • Mentorship and connection to statewide youth networks

Voices from Our Community

“I’m always impressed by EmpowerMT’s student leaders who show us how minds and hearts can change…there’s so much we have in common.”
— Denise Juneau, former Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction

“For YAC’s future I am excited…to help others find or use their voices…and grow as a community.”
— Youth Advisory Council member

Why We Do This

Youth leadership transforms schools and communities. EmpowerMT helps dismantle oppressive systems through skill-building, youth mentorship, and collective action—seeking long-term change, equity, and justice

Get Involved

Whether you're a parent/guardian, student, educator, or community group—we'd love to connect

Be a Part of Winter.

EmpowerMT in the spring.

Youth & Schools in the summer.

Join us in the fall.

Developing Leaders Across Montana since 1998