RAICES (Resources, Acceptance, Inclusion, Community Education, and Services)
This project partners with Corazón Community Services for the:
Health Ambassador Program
The Health Ambassador Program was developed by Corazón Community Services and the Health Committee of the Cicero Youth Task Force in an effort to improve the health outcomes of Cicero’s youth. The Health Ambassador Program offers in depth, comprehensive education on pervasive adolescent health concerns. It also provides training to Cicero adolescents and parents on community health advocacy as well as methods of peer-to-peer health education.
Youth and parent participation have been invaluable to the success of the program! Apart from attending monthly meetings and trainings, they lead health projects at their schools and throughout Cicero. With information they have learned from experts in the field and adequate guidance, the Health Ambassadors have been able to develop meaningful projects that have had a significant impact in the community, such as:
Health Ambassadors have received training on numerous health topics, including but not limited to: Sexual Health Education, Nutrition, Advocacy & Peer Health Education, The Importance of Primary Care, School Based Health Center Initiatives, Understanding Mental Health & Mental Illness, Mental Illness Stigma Reduction, Substance use / abuse, Teen dating violence, LGBTQ Issues in the Latino Community
The Health Ambassador program has become quite noticeable in the Cicero community. Local agencies and organizations, and even the Town of Cicero Health Department have requested the help of the Ambassadors. This spring we hope to have a retreat with the youth and parents in order to continue building their leadership skills. In addition, they will create a strategic plan that will help fortify the program.
Health Ambassadors receive stipends upon completion of program requirements, in order to encourage enthusiastic participation.
Contact: raices@projectvida.org
Health Ambassador Program
The Health Ambassador Program was developed by Corazón Community Services and the Health Committee of the Cicero Youth Task Force in an effort to improve the health outcomes of Cicero’s youth. The Health Ambassador Program offers in depth, comprehensive education on pervasive adolescent health concerns. It also provides training to Cicero adolescents and parents on community health advocacy as well as methods of peer-to-peer health education.
Youth and parent participation have been invaluable to the success of the program! Apart from attending monthly meetings and trainings, they lead health projects at their schools and throughout Cicero. With information they have learned from experts in the field and adequate guidance, the Health Ambassadors have been able to develop meaningful projects that have had a significant impact in the community, such as:
- Write health articles published in the Morton East Newspaper and the Monthly Town of Cicero Newsletter, reaching over 20,000 households; Recruit and register students to the Morton East School Based Health Center so that youth have access to a local primary care center;
- Plan, promote and conduct community wide Town Hall meetings on a variety of health topics;
- Plan, promote, and assist in local Health Fairs, including the Town of Cicero Health Fair and the Town of Cicero Health & Services Fair;
- Work on advocacy campaigns for the Morton East School Based Health Center;
- Assist in survey administration; Implement the Traffic Light Guide to Healthier Food Choices at three different afterschool sites in Cicero to help youth choose healthier foods;
- and much more!
Health Ambassadors have received training on numerous health topics, including but not limited to: Sexual Health Education, Nutrition, Advocacy & Peer Health Education, The Importance of Primary Care, School Based Health Center Initiatives, Understanding Mental Health & Mental Illness, Mental Illness Stigma Reduction, Substance use / abuse, Teen dating violence, LGBTQ Issues in the Latino Community
The Health Ambassador program has become quite noticeable in the Cicero community. Local agencies and organizations, and even the Town of Cicero Health Department have requested the help of the Ambassadors. This spring we hope to have a retreat with the youth and parents in order to continue building their leadership skills. In addition, they will create a strategic plan that will help fortify the program.
Health Ambassadors receive stipends upon completion of program requirements, in order to encourage enthusiastic participation.
Contact: raices@projectvida.org
