Build,
Connect,
Inspire
Upopolis: Empowering youth navigating stressful life events
Build,
Our Promise
WE MAKE SAFETY OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
Upopolis users must be referred by a professional or participate in a Common Ground event with the Upopolis team. The only adults who have access to Upopolis are professionals who are trained to work with and engage with youth patients.
Youth users are never anonymous, they are identified using their real first name, must sign a pledge of responsibility, and only after being verified can they join the platform. This increases accountability for behavior on the site. Upopolis users range from 13 to 23 years old. We are always aware of all of the content and user activity on the site. Upopolis has a safety reporting function for every post and photo. Content that is reported immediately disappears from the site and is then reviewed by administrators.
Upopolis features
Our values: build, connect, inspire
Six things Upopolis offers youth to help them build, connect, and inspire.
Community
Peer support within a secure online community from other youth with lived experience. Upopolis offers communities for youth living with medical diagnoses/ conditions with 27+ diagnosis-specific groups within this community and three islands that offer a community for siblings, the youth of adult patients, and youth navigating grief.
Leadership and Mentorship
Upopolis offers two volunteer roles for youth and young adults with lived experience. (more info). Two volunteer roles are the Upals and Umentors. Upals are youth within the community ages 13-23 who are keen to welcome new users and get involved in co-leading projects. Umentors are young adults with lived experiences who co-facilitate the Common Grounds and Camp programs with a member of the Upopolis team.
Psychosocial Support
The Upopolis team is made up of 8 Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) from Coast to Coast, experts in supporting youth navigating stressful life events such as diagnosis and grief. (more info). The CCLS team vets resources develops programming, and has a presence within the community for ongoing support.
Learning Opportunities
Upopolis users get access to trusted, age-appropriate medical information that is created, written, or reviewed by experienced healthcare professionals with knowledge in youth development.
Control and Independence- As members of the Upopolis community youth have access to a curated medical library just for youth, invitations to participate in project work and volunteer roles as they wish, and where and when it works for them(it’s all virtual). Teens decide on their level of involvement.
Control and Independence
As members of the Upopolis community youth have access to a curated medical library just for youth, invitations to participate in project work and volunteer roles as they wish, and where and when it works for them(it’s all virtual). Teens decide on their level of involvement.
Fun
The Upopolis team knows that youth need a healthy balance between navigating stressful life events and just being a youth. This is why regular programming includes games nights and some groups led by teens with special interests e.g. Sports or Art.
Resources
Check out the collateral and resources Upopolis offers to help you share about the programs and its benefits. All files are downloadable allowing you to print or share electronically with patients, families, and in units, clinics, or organizations.
Refer a youth
Do you know a youth 13-23 who could benefit from peer support? Refer them to our community using the link below.
Good words
The Upopolis community weighs in on all the benefits
The best way to get to know how great the Upopolis platform is, is to hear first-hand experience. Here’s a brief selection of what youth and partners have to say about Upopolis.
Check out the video
