RE:CLAIM OUR HEALTH
We are working to shift away from capitalism and big pharmaceutical companies by focusing on mutual aid, education, and advocacy. By learning about alternative and holistic health practices, we aim to reduce reliance on pharmaceuticals, exploring natural remedies, nutrition, and lifestyle changes for wellness. We support policies promoting universal and equitable healthcare to counter profit-driven motives. Staying informed about healthcare legislation and civic action, we hold policymakers and corporations accountable, hoping to contribute to a system that prioritizes people over profit.
PUBLIC LEADERSHIP
The Youth for Health Equity leadership cohort trains youth to become strong leaders of trauma-informed healing, advocacy, and systemic change in the health sector. This cohort helps foster a deep sense of collective responsibility, giving youth the opportunity to reclaim their agency in the context of gender-based violence, immigration trauma, and political instability. Youth work together to leverage their personal stories for advocacy and influence systemic change in their communities.
Narrative Change: Youth use creative expression—art, poetry, music, and movement—to share their stories and raise awareness about mental health, trauma recovery, and gender-based violence, becoming peer mentors who promote self-advocacy and community activism.
Public Speaking and Advocacy Training: Conduct workshops to equip youth with public speaking and advocacy skills for amplifying their voices in forums like town halls and community meetings.
Youth-Led Campaigns: Inspire youth to create and lead campaigns on local issues such as gender-based violence, immigration policies, climate resilience, and health equity.
Leadership Development: Through peer mentoring and group activities, youth gain leadership experience and make program decisions, fostering collective healing and shared responsibility.
Youth-Led Facilitation: Enable youth to lead workshops or meetings, offering real-world leadership experience and encouraging ownership of their growth.
CULTURAL ORGANIZING
The HEALING KITCHEN program is a space to learn eco-friendly practices to lessen consumption, and use food as medicine and healing. At every workshop and event we emphasize the importance of cultural identity and food preparation in the healing process for youth and families. Youth are encouraged to connect with their heritage, explore the histories and traditions of their communities, and assert their cultural identities with pride. This process helps to build self-worth and resilience, particularly in times of social and political turmoil.
LEGAL ACCESS & MUTUAL AID
In response to the erosion of public services and community support, the program provides vital resources for mental health care, trauma recovery, and legal rights. This collective support strengthens community ties and builds long-term resilience. Youth build a supportive community based on mutual aid, where they share resources, knowledge, and resilience. The legal support provided ensures that marginalized youth have access to critical resources and protections in the face of systemic injustice. We collaborate with legal experts to offer support in navigating immigration laws, gender-based violence cases, and mental health-related legal matters.
ENTREPRENEUR AND EDUCATION
Youth are encouraged to think about how their creative practices can be used for social good. This includes developing entrepreneurial ideas such as art-based social enterprises, music therapy programs, or poetry workshops that support mental health and social justice in the community.
The HEALING WITH HOMIES program works within a trauma-informed framework designed to support youth in processing mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, sexual violence, and trauma, with a special focus on experiences related to gender-based violence and immigration trauma. This program utilizes creative expression in various forms—exercise, cooking, visual arts, music, poetry, and movement—to facilitate healing in a collective, peer-driven environment. At its core, the program is rooted in mutual aid and peer-to-peer support, providing a safe, gender-affirming space for marginalized youth to reclaim their agency and mental and physical health.
Peer-to-Peer Youth Care Team: Youth actively participate in providing emotional support, sharing coping strategies, and supporting one another through trauma. These peer networks serve as crucial pillars in the healing process, reinforcing the idea that community-based care is integral to individual recovery.
Peer Mentoring and Crisis Response Training: Establish peer mentorship programs where experienced youth can guide others through the process of healing, offering guidance on managing trauma, mental health, and social challenges. Offer training in crisis management and conflict resolution to youth, enabling them to assist in emergency situations and support the broader community during times of need.
Resource Sharing Initiatives: Create community resource-sharing systems, such as tool libraries, food banks, or mental health resources, to support marginalized youth.
Partnerships with Legal Clinics: Partner with legal aid organizations to offer pro bono services, helping youth and families navigate legal challenges related to their trauma.
Know Your Rights Campaigns: Launch campaigns that educate youth on their legal rights, especially regarding immigration, gender-based violence, and access to mental health care.
Entrepreneurship in Healing: Teaching how to create and manage programs or products related to mental health and trauma recovery, such as self-care products, workshops, or therapeutic art experiences.
Pitch Competitions: Host pitch competitions to present their social enterprise ideas, with the chance to win seed funding or mentorship opportunities.
Business Incubation for Youth: Offer business incubation programs to help youth turn their creative projects into sustainable businesses, providing resources like funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Marketing and Branding for Social Enterprises: Teaching how to use social media, branding, and storytelling to market their creative projects and enterprises.
Workshops and Skill-Building: Offering workshops on entrepreneurship and skills development, such as selling art, marketing social enterprises, and turning personal healing journeys into a viable business model.
