Youth Community Leader Award

Call for Submissions in the Greater Baltimore Area | Submissions Due October 15, 2026

Winners will be invited to ABCT’s 2026 Convention, November 12–15, in Baltimore, MD

Nominations can be submitted by any adult familiar with youth nominees and their community work. Young people can also self-nominate with the consent of an adult. Please submit nominations through the form below.

ABCT’s Youth Community Leader Award 2026 is targeted only to young people ages 7–17 living in the greater Baltimore area. Each year, the award will go to a young person in the greater area of our annual convention’s hosting city.

Do you know a kid or teen (ages 7-17) that has made a positive mental health impact in the greater Baltimore area via community engagement, service, activism, advocacy, research, or other creative approaches? Are you that kid or teen? ABCT is seeking nominations for the 2026 Youth Community Leader Award.

Nominations are due by October 15, 2026. Up to five awardees will be selected each year. These awards recognize outstanding kids and teens (7-17 years old) who are making a positive impact on their local community. Nominees who exhibit leadership, innovation, and a commitment to community change will have the opportunity to win a $200 cash prize and attend the 2026 ABCT Convention, November 12–15, in Baltimore, MD, where they will receive their award.

Your Name(Required)

First Last

Your Email Address(Required)

Your Phone Number(Required)

Nominee Name

First Last

Relationship to nominee (e.g., parent, teacher, mentor, self)(Required)

Age of nominee(Required)

Hometown of nominee(Required)

Provide a brief bio and background of the nominee (100 words)(Required)

Describe the youth nominee’s community work and efforts to promote positive community change and characteristics of the nominee that make them a ‘community leader’ (300-500 words).(Required)

Provide additional information or resources/links (e.g., social media posts, relevant news coverage) that you think we should know about the nominee and their work as a community leader. If the nomination is made by an adult, please involve the nominee here! Consider uploading a recording of the nominee, a drawing, or anything relevant to this nomination. You may upload up to 3 files.

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Provide contact information for the youth’s parent/legal guardian(s) who will be contacted for consent for those youth under final consideration.(Required)