At Peer Health Exchange, we aim to ensure every element of work is informed by young people—from coalition advocacy to youth-centered design to peer education. Our Youth Advisory Board (YAB) plays a vital role in shaping the organization’s initiatives and programs. Launched in 2020, and representing young people of many diverse identities across the United States, the YAB is made up of four groups: Youth Brand Ambassadors, Community Youth Advocates, Youth Design Group, and Advisory Design Team. All of the groups are incentivized and feature opportunities for leadership, collaboration, and design.
Youth Advisory Board members participate in Summer Orientation, a 6-week health leadership readiness program, to learn about advocating for meaningful change in their communities. Mei Lin discovered the Youth Advisory Board on Instagram. She is part of Community Youth Advocates and the Youth Design Group. She said, “My favorite part of the work is working with experienced facilitators and other youth participants. Through PHE, I developed life skills like confidence and leadership, which allowed to work toward my goal of having better communication with my peers.”
Youth Advisors also work closely with PHE staff to guide content and user-experience on PHE’s online platform selfsea.org, and evaluate and make recommendations on programming, curriculum design, and outreach strategies. Their contributions ensure that PHE's initiatives remain relevant, effective, and responsive to the needs of young people.
Nicole Rodriguez is a senior in high school and a youth advisor for two teams: Youth Design Group and Youth Brand Ambassadors. "The work we do is significant because we improve resources for mental health, relationships, and etc. I am able to provide insight regarding selfsea and make our voices heard. Through my work, I have become more passionate about sharing the struggles young people face. My favorite part of doing this is being able to interact with others and see their thought process regarding all of these topics. Peer Health Exchange has become a platform that I want to expand and improve, so everyone is able to benefit from it," she said.
“By creating spaces and opportunities for youth to lead and meeting them where they are, I've seen young people show up for themselves and each other, take initiative, problem-solve, and practice advocacy skills. I am always impressed by their commitment to health equity, their eagerness to connect and collaborate, and the activation of their own agency.” says Elle Quimpo, Manager of Youth Experience at PHE.
Dr. Angela Glymph, Chief Executive Officer of Peer Health Exchange, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in shaping services and supports, stating, "Traditionally, services and supports are built for young people rather than with them. We believe and have seen firsthand that youth are more engaged and more likely to adopt a practice or service they helped create. Promoting health equity is amplifying youth voices and their leadership." By sharing their insights and lived experiences, the members provide guidance and recommendations to further enhance the organization's impact on the communities it serves.
For more information about PHE and its youth engagement work, visit www.peerhealthexchange.org. Our in-person fundraising event, 'Youth First', is upcoming on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at the Bowery Hotel in Manhattan, New York. This will be an amazing opportunity to learn more about the Youth Advisory Board and hear directly from PHE youth advisors, as well as Health Facilitators and CEO Dr. Angela Glymph. The event will also feature both silent and live auctions, where unique items and experiences will be up for bid, with all proceeds supporting PHE. To register, visit the New York event page on the PHE website. If you are unable to attend, Peer Health Exchange encourages donations, which make it possible for its work to reach young people with critical resources, identity-affirming support, and health education.