AJGA leadership links participant Taylor Roberts has made a strong contribution to mental health awareness and the Crisis Text Line. In 2022, Roberts along with Phoebe Brinker hosted the Impact Cup which gathered 18 college golfers from all over the country and raised a total of $100,000 for the Generation Next Project and the Liberty National ACE Grant .
The mission of Generation Next Project is to make a positive and direct impact on youth mental health within the golf community, providing players, families and coaches mental fitness tools and communication skills to thrive in today’s world, through the game of golf. The mission of the 2022 Impact Cup was to educate, support and foster awareness around youth mental health, while establishing a peer-to-peer network where no one feels alone.
Two years later, Roberts is now in graduate school at Vanderbilt University majoring in counseling and working as a volunteer at the Crisis Text Line she raised funds for as a collegiate golfer. She has continued her passion for mental health advocacy through collegiate golf and now into post graduate studies.
I’ve seen how impactful it is firsthand. Saving someone in their time of need gives just as much adrenaline as making a five-foot putt.
As Roberts is beginning her life outside of competitive golf, the valuable lessons and mental endurance gained from the game has helped her with counseling. Her unique experience playing in high intensity moments has enabled her to relate to the many situations she encounters as a volunteer for the Crisis Text Line.
It's really rare that a counselor understands the depths of playing high level sports so I knew my experience can help me help others.
Roberts credits the AJGA Leadership Links program for helping blossom her passion of helping people as a youth. Being able to have a platform and resources to connect with other juniors to raise awareness instilled a yearn to continue to help others.
Getting involved in leadership links can completely change your life...it gives a position to impact your community at such a young age.
Since the Impact Cup, the Crisis Text Line has been very grateful for the AJGA’s contributions to raise awareness for the Text Line and mental health advocacy. Crisis Text Line Volunteer JD Schramm recently shared his appreciation for the AJGA in the video below.
The Impact Cup is included in the Cobra Puma Golf State Cup Series , which is a unique junior golf event series providing competitive junior golfers development in important life skills such as charitable giving, leadership, and teamwork. Participants gain a greater understanding and knowledge of the benefiting charities while being celebrated for their accomplishments.
For more information on how to donate or get involved visit the Crisis Text Line.
