June 30, 2021 —Oakland, CA— Peer Health Exchange, a national nonprofit organization working to advance health equity and improve health outcomes for young people, has received a 150k investment from the Younger Family Fund. The funds will be used to reach more Bay Area young people than ever before in the organization's history.
With the onset of COVID-19 pushing the limits of innovation potential – as it did for countless nonprofits – Peer Health Exchange was required to refocus on how best to serve young people now. On May 12, it launched selfsea, a web app co-designed with young people to boost access to inclusive health resources and information for youth everywhere.
"When the pandemic started, BIPOC young people told us they needed us to show up for them in new spaces—not only in schools—but also in a digital community." said Angela Glymph, Vice President of Programs and Strategic Learning. "selfsea is our newest and most innovative offering of support— one that centers them and their experiences."
The Younger Family Fund's gift coincides with the launch of Peer Health Exchange's FY22-FY24 strategic plan, prioritizing reaching more young people with health education beyond classroom walls and elevating youth voice and leadership in this work.
"Peer Health Exchange's approach is unique, gets results, and will adapt to reach more students digitally. We have full trust in Peer Health Exchange's leadership to meet students where they are and provide tools and education to have young people take charge of their health," said Julie Aleman of the Younger Family Fund. "We focus on identifying outstanding leaders and their nonprofits to improve the lives of vulnerable people. In March of 2020, we identified 10 organizations looking out for the most vulnerable in the Bay Area to provide things like food, shelter, cash for lost income, and more. We've been waiting and listening to what the long-term impacts of COVID could be on vulnerable populations in the Bay Area, and after seeing the real-time effects of schools being closed, we decided to focus a second COVID grant round on community-based nonprofits that show strong school and community partnerships that were proactively planning for the present and future in providing critical mental health supports for in-school young people."
About Peer Health Exchange
Peer Health Exchange’s mission is to build healthier communities with young people. Together, we create education opportunities for peers to share the tools and resources young people need to make healthy decisions. To learn more visit www.peerhealthexchange.org.
