Health Cohort

Overview

The Spring 2021 Youth Circle consisted of middle school aged interns who learned a variety of topics related to mental health, general health and leadership skills important to their personal and professional development. Topics explored were collaboratively chosen by both the program team as well as the interns. Representatives from Hmong Nurses Associated (HNA) also supported in the implementation of the general health curriculum.

Program Content

Wellness Check-Ins
During the program, interns met with a program staff member once a week for a wellness check-in. Check-ins were vital in providing a safe space for interns to express themselves, receive emotional support as well as encouraged 1:1 mentoring with the program team.

Spring 2021 Gen Z Leadership Summit
Interns attended HYPU's 2021 Generation Z Leadership Summit which provided them a safe space to learn, discuss and think critically about the Asian-American experience, past and present. During this summit, they explored the manifestation of racism and discrimination against Asians in the United States and learned how they can utilize community organizing as a tool to initiate change in their communities. Lastly, understanding that these social issues can affect individuals on a deeper level, mental health knowledge and skills was presented as tools to support the interns' and participants' mental wellness.

Reflection Project
Interns created a symbolic reflection project showcasing what they had learned in the program or how the program content has helped them grow as an individual.

Final Week Highlight

Interns met in-person for the final week of the program to participate in activities related to mental wellness, general health and leadership skills. A youth intern led the cohort in a cooking demo where interns learned how to assemble and wrap Vietnamese spring rolls. Next, they participated in a friendly competition of games which encouraged team bonding. Lastly, a program staff member led the interns in a paint-nite activity used to encourage art as a form of self-expression and self-care. They utilized skills learned during leadership to present their final reflection project in front of each other on a stage.