Youth Advocates for Health in Action
Youth advocates have an important voice in creating policy and environmental change in Wake County, whether through their schools, groups they are involved in or at the county level.
Youth Advocates for Health in Action (YAHA) teens are learning how to advocate for a healthier environment and have made an impact in several ways:
- Crosswalk Installed: Successfully convinced Fuquay-Varina policy makers to install a crosswalk in front of Fuquay-Varina High School. In this project, the youth, trained in Graphic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, created scenarios and educated community members about the need for the crosswalk after a fellow student was struck and killed by a car there.
- GIS Mapping: Used GIS mapping and the Nutrition Environment Measure Survey (NEMS) to rate grocery stores and convenience stores in Southeast Raleigh and Fuquay-Varina. The youth then worked with a small store across the street from Fuquay-Varina High School to persuade the owners to offer healthier foods and beverages at affordable prices.
Teens 13-18 in Wake County who would like to learn more about YAHA and how they can be involved may contact AHA.