Youth Initiatives
Over the past several years, state funding for school-based and school-linked health centers has been at-risk. In response, SCHA-MI has helped engage the youth from centers across the state to have their voices heard by policymakers to maintain funding for the programs that help them stay healthy and successful in school, like school-based and school-linked health centers.
SCHA-MI works with youth to build their leadership, communications, and civic involvement skills as they become Michigan's next generation of public health and education leaders.
PROJECT VOICE
In the fall of 2009, SCHA-MI hosted its first-ever youth conference: Project Voice: A Dynamic Approach to Youth Empowerment.
Over 100 youth from across the state came together to learn strategies to find their voices to create positive change within their schools and community. The first year also featured two of the original students from Freedom Writers, who shared their amazing stories of strength, courage, and achievement in the face of adversity.
Each year, Project Voice strives to inspire youth to take their education and wellbeing into their own hands, while using their voices most effectively to become leaders in our state.
The overall goals of Project Voice are to:
- Build on the momentum of the youth to develop a SCHA-MI Statewide Youth Advisory Council (YAC).
- Provide leadership platforms for existing local YACs or interested youth change agents.
- Promote youth-adult partnerships that foster meaningful youth involvement in our organizations through active YACs.
View YouTube videos from Project Voice 2009 created by 16 different youth groups from across Michigan talking about what they want to advocate for.
View photos from the first Project Voice conference
Support our efforts to continue Project Voice
Project Voice 2011
May 16, 2011 at the Lansing Community College - West Campus
Thank you to everyone who came to the 2nd Annual Project Voice: A Dynamic Approach to Youth Empowerment and helped to make this another successful youth leadership conference!
View descriptions of the 2011 workshops--all led by youth!
View the Lansing State Journal article covering the event.
Thank you to the Project Voice 2011 Sponsors!
YOUTH NEWSLETTER
Archived Issues:
May 2011
March 2011
February 2011
YOUTH LEGISLATIVE DAY 2010
If you have any questions regarding Youth Initiatives at SCHA-MI, please contact:
Keri Bennett, Deputy Director
School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan
keri.bennett@scha-mi.org
6035 Executive Drive, Suite 103 • Lansing, MI 48911 • PH: 517.908.0847 • FAX: 517.381.8011 • info@scha-mi.org