| Presenting the survey’s results was the culmination of an internship for the two students, a senior at Joseph City High School and a junior at Holbrook High School. The internship was created through a partnership between United Way of Northern Arizona, the Center for the Future of Arizona, the Work-Based Learning Alliance, and Grow Arizona.
The six-week program asked the student interns to conduct an analysis of current issues facing youth in northeast Arizona. UWNA is currently working on a strategic plan in Navajo and Apache counties with the aim of increasing capacity and sustainability for nonprofits serving youth.
The interns both said they were drawn to the project because they knew people who had turned to substance abuse as a way of coping with stress and anxiety and wanted to understand why.
Not only did the survey give them a better understanding of the mental wellness challenges being faced by their peers, it pointed them to a possible solution.
As part of their presentation, both students identified The Launch Pad in Prescott as an excellent example of how the community could provide greater support to its youth.
The Launch Pad is a teen center that provides out-of-school programming that is driven in large part by its teens. It features drop-in classes and clubs with activities ranging from music to gardening to workforce development and mentoring programs.
The student researchers said they believed a similar program held after school and on weekends would be beneficial to teens in Navajo County.
All of the partners involved in creating this internship expressed gratitude for the research done by the students.
In this year’s annual campaign, United Way of Northern Arizona is focusing on promoting positive youth development, including the mental well-being of our youth, their sense of belonging and inclusion, and leadership development.
Without the insights and contributions of the students who participated in this survey, we risk missing the mark and failing to connect with the youth we are trying to reach. Their hands-on involvement is the bridge we need to build effective and impactful solutions.
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Step Up for Our Youth in Navajo, Apache, and Coconino counties by making a donation today to the United Way of Northern Arizona’s annual campaign.
United Way of Northern Arizona brings people together to address the big issues to create environments where everyone can thrive. We have our finger on the pulse of what is happening in northern Arizona, meaning we can respond quickly as issues and opportunities arise.
We bundle the donations we receive and invest them in proven local programs, so your money stays local and impacts youth and families in your community.
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UNITED WAY OF NORTHERN ARIZONA
1515 E. Cedar Ave. Suite D-1 Flagstaff, AZ 86004
928-773-9813 nazunitedway.org
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