A brighter future for California’s most vulnerable youth

This spring, CommonSpirit Health launched the Youth Wellness Project: a unique collaboration with local schools and community organizations to educate and empower young people to make healthy choices, overcome adversity and thrive.

Generously funded by CommonSpirit Health Foundation supporter T. Rowe Price, the two-year initiative delivers impactful education and programming designed to address three critical aspects of youth well-being: negative impacts of drug and alcohol use, skills to manage stress and trauma, and building positive social connections with peers.

Meeting a rising critical need

Youth in the U.S., especially California, face challenges like the risk of substance misuse and suicidality.

California Healthy Kids Survey showed many high school students experimented with alcohol and marijuana. In fact, 22% of eleventh graders reported consuming alcohol in the past 30 days, and 17% reported using marijuana during the same period.

At the same time, a 2023 CDC report stated suicide was the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24. California's Department of Public Health data showed a 20% increase in youth emergency department visits for suicide attempts and self-harm between 2020 and 2021.

Wellness Navigators provide guidance and support in underserved communities

Through the Youth Wellness Project, CommonSpirit Health’s highly trained community health workers — called Wellness Navigators — visit middle school and high school youth in under-resourced communities across California, including Northridge, San Bernardino, Sacramento and Stockton. 

During their visits, Wellness Navigators deliver informative, supportive sessions to students, focusing on these core areas:

• Increasing knowledge about the negative impacts of alcohol and drug use: Through an age-appropriate and evidence-based curriculum, students gain a deeper understanding of the short-term and long-term detrimental effects of alcohol and drug use — including discussions on stigma, peer pressure, addiction cycles and healthy decision-making.
• Developing life skills to positively cope with stress and trauma: Due to the increasing prevalence of stress and trauma among young people, the program equips students with practical strategies for emotional regulation, conflict resolution, mindfulness, building resilience and seeking support from trusted adults.
• Positive peer engagement: This project prioritizes positive social connections for youth well-being. Wellness Navigators supervise engaging activities that promote healthy peer interactions, teamwork and belonging. These safe, enjoyable opportunities foster strong peer networks, offering constructive alternatives and a sense of community.

CommonSpirit Health and T. Rowe Price: Stronger together

Thanks to generous philanthropic support from T. Rowe Price, the Youth Wellness Project meets California’s most vulnerable young people right where they are, in ways that leave a meaningful and lasting impact on their future.

For example, a recent middle school program introduced words of affirmation by inviting youth to create canvases that featured phrases that uplift and empower them. At another high school training, a student reflected, “I like that this topic is discussed in an unshameful way.”

Donor support helps to create comprehensive and engaging experiences for participants, including: 

• Educational resources: Books and manuals that form the program's core learning materials, promoting youth wellness, skill development and personal growth
• Refreshments: Nutritious snacks that energize students and help foster open, thoughtful discussions
• Youth incentives: Gift cards and other rewards for consistent participation, engagement and other noteworthy milestones

Opportunities for impact

The Youth Wellness Project will operate for a two-year pilot period with T. Rowe Price’s support.

To help ensure the program continues — as well as to grow innovative behavioral health initiatives like it — please consider joining us with a gift of any amount.

Visit our Behavioral Health initiative page to learn how you can help us expand behavioral health care for young people across California and beyond. 

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