Mat Bevel Company sponsor the Adolescent Wellness Network team at Mariposa Community Health Center in Nogales, Arizona.
The Adolescent Wellness Network (AWN) at Mariposa Community Health Center supports the health, education, and community resources that Santa Cruz County adolescents need for optimal mental, physical, and social wellness. The network brings together diverse organizations to create an integrated system that caters to the unique needs of youth in an efficient way. Trainings and capacity building ensure that those who work with youth are prepared to give them the best service possible.
Cassalyn David, AWN Director explains, “We have certified trainers in Youth Mental Health First Aid, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Ending the Silence Curriculum, Text Talk Act, as well as access to interactive online trainings for youth mental health, and more. Our network connects Santa Cruz County to state and national resources, for example hosting workshops on adolescent brain development for parents or professionals.”
The Positive Youth Leadership Team (PYLoTs) pause for a tennis break during a Digital Storytelling Workshop led by Border Youth Tennis Exchange Nogales, Arizona.
Authentic youth engagement is key to all of AWN’s programming. The Positive Youth Leadership Team, which formed in 2014, is a group of 8 local high school students who are critical to informing AWN’s work. They also have opportunities to create their own programs for AWN.
One of the most impactful outcomes of AWN’s programs is when the students say that they are more confident in their ability to address issues that affect their community. AWN supported Mat Bevel Company (MBC) as a sponsor this year because The Universe Within worldbuilding course helps youth become more confident in their ability to address issues that affect their community.
Cassalyn says, “The youth we work with are sending us this message loud and clear: there is no health without mental health, and we must reduce stigma and promote emotional wellness in every way we can in order for them to thrive. It’s difficult for one organization or program to meet youth needs holistically. The Universe Within aligns in many ways with what our teens tell us, that emotional wellbeing, health, art and expression, education, leadership, and problem-solving are all connected, and they want to wrestle with all those things in engaging ways.”
PYLoTs attend local schools and conferences to deliver interactive workshops to their peers.
What AWN and MBC share in common is promoting emotional wellbeing and giving youth the tools and support they need to navigate adolescence. The fact that MBC’s educational programming connects creativity to social problem-solving fits well with AWN’s goals of empowering youth and fostering leadership.
Cassalyn is quick to point out that none of this work to support adolescents would be possible without her organization’s partners. She says, “The school districts and County Superintendent of Schools invite us to present prevention programs to their students. Behavioral Health Agencies ensure our work is connected to their member services. Southeastern Arizona Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC) is our lead for trainings, and local nonprofits like Border Youth Tennis Exchange, 0s3 Movement, and the Boys & Girls Club participate in everything we do and translate our work into direct services to youth.”
Thank you for your support, Adolescent Wellness Network!