The program took place at…
The program took place at the Advance Community offices, the first of its kind for the organization.
Show Up! Empowering Tomorrow’s Public Health Leaders
By Simonne Campos
In a dynamic initiative aimed at fostering a new generation of public health professionals, Advance Community proudly launched its first ever high school program, Show Up! Designed to equip students with essential skills, knowledge, and real-world experiences in the public health field, this program set forth to inspire students through exposure to the endless possibilities that come along with being involved in their community.
Fostering Passion for Public Health and Advocacy
The program began with a cohort of 12 dedicated students from different high schools in Maricopa County who expressed a keen interest in public health. Throughout June, students explored many public health topics by engaging in sessions led by guest speakers and nonprofit partners. These sessions covered critical subjects such as disease prevention, mental health awareness, and community health disparities, guiding students to become proactive advocates for public health concerns directly impacting their communities.
The Show Up! 2024…
Introducing the first ever cohort of Show Up! 2024, captured on their exciting first day, June 3rd, 2024.
Incoming senior, Sierra, shared, “The Show Up! program really opened my eyes to all of the new possibilities and opportunities that there [are] in the health community. I really gained a ton of knowledge from my experience by meeting with people and gaining connections that further my future career. I feel more confident about what I’m going to do for my career now that I have background information about a lot of other career paths, and the support from the various and diverse groups of people I’ve encountered at the Show Up! program. I am really grateful to have [received] this opportunity.”
Skill Development and Certifications
Students learning CPR…
Students learning CPR and First Aid from Arizona Mobile Training, practicing life-saving techniques and earning their certificates.
A cornerstone of Show Up! was equipping students with essential certifications and skills. Participants earned their certifications in CPR and First Aid, completed bloom365’s 3Rs Peer Influencer Training, and participated in the CATCH My Breath Youth Vaping Prevention program.
Additionally, students earned their Food Handlers Card in the first week and were later equipped to help the Advance Nutrition Team in the kitchen and warehouse, cooking food for our weekly Stove to Table program and packing nutrition boxes for our community participants. Putting their skills into action and engaging hands-on in the work we do at Advance; students were able to better understand the type of impact they can make in the community.
Students Fernanda and Sierra…
Students Fernanda and Sierra preparing meals for Stove to Table, a weekly program dedicated to providing nutritious meals for seniors living in subsidized housing.
Student Vania…
Student Vania, helping measure and pack nutrition boxes that are made every week for Advance’s program participants
These certifications not only enhanced their practical knowledge but empowered them to educate peers and community members on vital health practices. One of the key motivators every day was knowing that, “Even if this does not affect you now, it could affect someone you know,” our students were simultaneously learning how to protect themselves and educate others.
Students presenting on…
Students presenting on the social determinants of health after listening to Lily Cardenas from MCDPH share data from the 2023/2024 Community Health Needs Assessment.
Immersive Hospital Experiences
A medic at St. Joseph’s Hospital…
A medic at St. Joseph’s Hospital guides students through the Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit, providing them with valuable insights into emergency stroke care.
A particularly special highlight from the program was the opportunity to tour St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. Students had the chance to explore the hospital’s ambulance bay and learn from an active medic about the Barrow Emergency Stroke Treatment Unit. This hands-on experience offered students a firsthand look at the critical role of emergency responders in public health.
Furthermore, students visited the hospital’s Simulation Center, where they observed medical students performing simulated surgeries (and were able to get up close and personal with the hospital’s high-fidelity mannequins!) This experience allowed students to witness healthcare professionals in action, gaining insights into the complexities and challenges of medical practice.
Students had the opportunity…
Students had the opportunity to check out St. Joseph’s high-fidelity mannequins and robotic surgical equipment in the Simulation Center.
Students outside of St. Joseph’s Hospital…
Students gather outside St. Joseph’s Hospital, ready for their comprehensive tour of the facility.
Career Exploration and Professional Growth
During the final week, dedicated to professional development, students honed their resume writing and interview skills through workshops conducted by Martine Garcia from Arizona State University Career Services. They also received professional interview attire from Dress for Success Phoenix, a local non-profit dedicated to empowering individuals entering the workforce.
Guest Speaker from Arizona State University…
Martine Garcia from ASU Career Services leads students in professional development workshops, helping them hone their skills and prepare to join the workforce.
Dress for Success Phoenix supplying…
Dress for Success Phoenix is providing all Show Up! students and their family members with interview attire to help them seize workforce opportunities.
One of the most exciting engagements took place on the final day of the program, a “Careers in Public Health” panel hosted at the Advance Community offices. This panel provided students with invaluable insights into diverse public health careers, allowing them to engage directly with professionals and gain advice on career paths and personal journeys.
Students with public health career panelists…
Students with public health career panelists. Panelists included (from left to right) Autumn Mattison from Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Iselda Granados from Banner Health, Cindy Quintero from Advance Community, Nehemias Ponce from Phoenix Fire Department, Jess Bristow from Chispa AZ and Yuto Okamoto from Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
According to incoming senior, Victoria, the panel was “the most interesting” and her favorite educational session, “because we were able to engage with the guest speakers and listen to how they became who they are today. I loved that we were able to ask questions [regarding the] career goals we wanted to pursue in the future and how it would be attainable.”
Students…
Students Sierra and Emily engaged at panel.
Student Victoria asks…
Student Victoria asks the panelist a question about managing mental health and coping with burnout.
Facilitation and Impact
Reflecting on the program’s impact, this initiative was new and intimidating at times, but we at Advance knew we had to invest in our youth who are passionate about serving their community. This work was both professional and personal for us, aligning with our commitment to achieving health equity across all communities. We couldn’t have done it without our community partners who share our dedication to supporting the next generation of public health advocates.
Something not to be overlooked was the sense of community that the students fostered throughout their time in the program. Vania, an incoming junior who took a leap of faith in joining the program, shared, “My favorite thing about the program was all the socializing we had between the members and staff. I got inspired to not be afraid to try new things because even though I was nervous to join, I had a good time with everyone. I would tell students that they should give it a shot and to not be afraid to learn new things even if it’s out of school with a different group who they might not know.”
Students enjoyed…
Students enjoyed a little break by bonding over ice cream and drinks from Caretta de Lily!
Conclusion
On graduation day…
On graduation day, students proudly hold their certificates as Youth Community Health Educators, joined by their facilitator, Simonne Campos.
Show Up! exemplifies innovation and commitment in preparing students to tackle pressing public health concerns with confidence, empathy, and resilience. By providing a diverse educational experience that integrates evidence-based curriculum with practical training and community engagement, Show Up! has successfully graduated a fearless and bold cohort of Youth Community Health Educators who will continue to make a meaningful impact in public health.
The success of Show Up! underscores the importance of empowering youth to become proactive agents of change, ensuring healthier and more resilient communities for generations to come!
