Empowered youth are the catalyst for change in our communities! To empower our youth with leadership skills and an avenue to see their ideas make a positive impact, the Greenbrier County Health Alliance (GCHA) wants to partner with youth 14-18 to work with mentors on community service projects that affect health in Greenbrier County.
GCHA was formed ten years ago to systematically address community engagement in an effort to impact community-identified health priorities in underserved communities in Greenbrier County. Through the efforts of its Community Ambassador Program (CAP), community members in isolated, rural communities have worked to change their community’s health environment through facilitated grassroots community change projects designed to impact health outcomes. Using local relationships and expertise, community ambassadors engage with vulnerable populations who experience barriers to resources, including those experiencing poverty, seniors, persons with disabilities, the general public, and those without access to transportation.
GCHA is looking to expand its programming by adding youth ambassadors for the first time. Local youth will have an opportunity to volunteer with GCHA staff and existing adult community ambassadors to address health and wellness projects in various communities around Greenbrier County. This program will create leadership opportunities for youth, while at the same time offering the opportunity to listen, learn, and contribute ideas for change. Youth will be paired with existing community ambassadors to design, create, implement, and evaluate a program in a local community in Greenbrier County. They will also be able to attend networking meetings to learn of other projects around the county and will have an opportunity to showcase their work at the project’s conclusion. This is a great opportunity for youth who want to gain community service hours and/or enhance their college/employment applications.
If interested in applying to GCHA for one of these eight youth, volunteer positions, please contact Sally Hurst, GCHA Director, at 304-634-7187 or at shurst@osteo.wvsom.edu or contact Debbie Sizemore, Program Coordinator, at 304-667-8399 or at debsizemore@hotmail.com by Feb. 28, 2025.
Interested parties will be emailed an application that will require parent or guardian signature. Candidates will be chosen based on their application and will be offered an opportunity to sit for an interview. Once candidates are selected, parents/guardians will be asked to sign a release of liability form and a media release form. Trainings will be offered to the youth chosen, mentors and projects will be assigned, and a timeline will be established for completion of the work.
All projects will be completed by July 31, 2025.