Peer Health Exchange has been working in Boston since 2006, reaching thousands of young people in Boston high schools and community-based organizations each year to supplement or provide their health education program. Our web app selfsea also serves an additional 8,500 Massachusetts-based young people– providing critical health content and resources wherever and whenever they need it.
This year, our health education reaches over 2,400 young people in the greater Boston area, through 15 high school and community-based organization partners. The Boston PHE team is dynamic. Yaritsa Sanchez is PHE’s Community Liaison Manager in Boston, and has been with Peer Health Exchange for three years, saying "I get to work with wonderful schools and community-based organizations to bring our health resources to young people in Boston and Lynn.” Yaritsa added that there will be exciting youth-led projects and events announced in the Spring. “I work to co-create projects alongside young people to address varying community needs. This year, our young people are passionate about issues in education, social media and its impact on youth mental health, and youth homelessness.”
Raheal Getahun works in classrooms as a Health Facilitator Fellow in Boston. She says, “As a student aspiring to become a Physician Assistant, I have the privilege and find great importance in guiding young people to navigate their unique health journeys confidently. By integrating interactive activities and open discussion in the classroom, I aim to enhance health literacy, while helping students discover and amplify their voices.”
In recent years, Peer Health Exchange has been piloting a Peer-to-Peer program in Boston and Chicago, where College-aged Peer Mentors, who formerly taught PHE health curriculum in the classroom, train high schoolers to teach their peers. Peer Facilitators undergo comprehensive training that covers the curriculum, professional development, public speaking skills, as well as knowledge of general public health and local health resources.
The organization's upcoming event, ‘Youth First’ will showcase the new Peer-to-Peer model. Attendees will hear impact stories and more from our health educators – including Peer Facilitators. The Boston Youth First event takes place on April 3, 2024, at the at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Boston’s Old City Hall. Learn more here: https://give.peerhealthexchange.org/event/bos-youth-first-paving-the-way-for-a-healthier-generation/e558358
