Celebrating the First Project REACH Cohort: Two Years of Growth and Impact
Table of Contents
Introduction
In 2023, the School-Based Health Alliance launched Project REACH (Realizing Excellence through Academics and Careers in Health), a workforce development program that provides experiential learning opportunities, mentorship, and health care internships for Black high school students. In partnership with Youth Healthcare Alliance (YHA) and Every Child Pediatrics, Project REACH welcomed 21 students into our inaugural cohort at Gateway High School in Aurora, CO.
I wasn’t too sure that I wanted to be in the medical field but now I know that is what I want to do.”
Building a Strong Foundation
“This year I learned the importance of every job introduced to me. That being said, I have learned to value the importance of diversifying the healthcare industry.”
Over the course of our two-year programming, Project REACH hosted 29 sessions for our students. Sessions explored various topics in areas including personal development, health education, career exploration, and professional development.
Students also had the option to take part in a summer internship with school-based health centers (SBHCs) in their community. Ultimately, 15 students participated, working either two full days or four half days per week for a month in June or July. Taking place in school-based health centers including Olympian Wellness Center at Gateway High School, Trojan Wellness Center at Aurora Central High School, Laredo Kids Clinic, and Crawford Kids Clinic, students engaged in special trainings, shadowed a variety of health professionals, and completed a project during their last week. The program concluded with a one-day workshop on communications and marketing, where students developed pitches and created materials to promote school-based health centers. Additionally, they worked with school staff and coaches to encourage students to get their physicals and access essential health services at SBHCs.
“After two years of Project REACH, I honestly think my experience with SBHCs was overall very beneficial to me. I believe my internship gave me a good point of view of both the patient and worker side, including different aspects and positions for the other healthcare workers. I really enjoyed having many different conversations with the professionals and their level of professionalism with anything I needed help/support with.”
Building a Strong Foundation
“This year I learned the importance of every job introduced to me. That being said, I have learned to value the importance of diversifying the healthcare industry.”
During the second year of programming, Project REACH introduced students to mentors who supported students in translating their experiences into plans for post-graduate life and provided encouragement that their dreams are attainable. Project REACH coordinators paired nine students with mentors and facilitated a space for mentors and mentees to connect during our mentorship-dedicated sessions. In these meetings, students received additional guidance from their mentors about navigating their career journey and many students explored their mentors’ professional work environments. Project REACH also coordinated multiple shadowing opportunities for our students, including visits to group therapy sessions and an OB-GYN’s clinic. Students who attended expressed that these immersive opportunities allowed them to learn more about different career paths and bring the learning sessions to life.
Expanding Horizons
Continuing their development further, Project REACH students had the opportunity to connect with and learn from their passionate peers from across the country. Taking place during the National School-Based Health Care Conference, one Project REACH student and the site coordinator traveled in June to Washington, DC to attend the ‘Be the Change’ Youth Training Program, an annual leadership development conference for youth nationwide to recognize, enhance, and apply their talents and skills as influential, ethical leaders of youth-led, school-based health promotion. While there, they engaged in networking events with school health professionals and workshops on several topics, including the importance of social media in marketing school-based health services, innovations in school-based food insecurity programming, fighting mental health stigma, and best practices for effective youth-adult partnerships.
“Project REACH really was a safe space for me, whether it was the people or conversations, I enjoyed it all.”
Looking Ahead
With a strong foundation in place, the second Project REACH cohort is already underway. As Project REACH welcomes our new cohort of students, the program builds on the lessons learned and successes of the first two years to expand opportunities for participants. Project REACH remains dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where students can explore health career pathways, develop their professional skills, and build connections that will help shape their future careers in healthcare.
A Community Effort
The School-Based Health Alliance is grateful for our partnerships with Youth Healthcare Alliance and Every Child Pediatrics, along with 20 health organizations across Colorado, representing a variety of clinical and non-clinical health careers, who supported this work. These collaborations reflect a shared commitment to advancing the personal and professional development of Black youth toward careers, helping our efforts to foster greater representation of Black professionals in healthcare across the state.
See More About This Project!
Moving forward, Project REACH remains committed to encouraging Black youth, expanding opportunities, and contributing to the diversity of the next generation of health professionals. If you would like to learn more about Project REACH, please visit our initiative page.