Youth Programming Highlights
Middle School
Middle schoolers at Edmunds Middle School have had a passion for supporting health and wellness this quarter! In January, BPHC and BSD staff brought a group of 13 students involved in the in school BE Above youth empowerment group to Randolph Vermont to join other teens from across the state to learn about tobacco related issues impacting youth at the 802 Youth Leadership Summit. Group members brought out their creativity to make posters for their school to educate their peers about vaping related harms.
In February we channeled that learning into advocacy! We brought 6 students involved in our BE Above afterschool group to a Youth Rally and advocacy day at the Vermont State House hosted by the Tobacco Control Program of the Vermont Department of Health.
The kids were excited to share their thoughts with Burlington legislators about how they could support health for youth like them. They focused their message on the importance of reducing the impact that the accessibility and kid-friendly flavors of vape products are having on hooking kids like them to vape.
We wanted to share a big thank you to Representatives Troy Headrick, Carole Ode, Barbara Rachelson, and Gabrielle Stebbins for taking the time to meet and talk with the students about issues they care about. The students were so inspired by the day that they really wanted to share their thoughts in a committee to have an even bigger impact. We stopped by the Education Committee who invited us in and allowed space for our youth to talk to them about the impact that vaping in their school is having on their ability to effectively learn in school. Thank you for listening to Burlington students! They left feeling excited and empowered.
High School
At the high school our new BHS Elevate campaign is in full swing! We started off with a focus on practical strategies to reduce stress and “Elevate” mental health. This month we’ll be switching focus to share information and resources related to cannabis and tobacco vaping.
