Beyond Project REACH
Our alumni have gone on to pursue education in health fields, including medicine and biomedical engineering, as they begin their college journeys. To learn more about our first cohort, visit our blog post.
Project REACH (Realizing Excellence through Academics and Careers in Health)
Initiative Overview
Project REACH (Realizing Excellence through Academics and Careers in Health) is a career exploration program for Black high school students interested in a future in health and wellness. Through in-school workshops, community-based shadowing, mentorships, and internships, students build their knowledge of the school-based health care field, foster connections with local health professionals, and enhance their agency and leadership potential.
Project REACH’s youth-focused approach allows students to shape their learning experiences and identify areas of healthcare that resonate most with their goals and passions. Students determine their journey through the program by exploring their own future goals and interests. By incorporating their insights to inform programmatic efforts, Project REACH spotlights and emphasizes the unique pathways that each student can take to achieve their career goals, rather than the idea of a singular pipeline.
Progress through Project REACH
Through a two-year, cohort-based approach, Project REACH guides students through a structured progression of learning, skill development, and professional growth. Each phase builds on the last to ensure students gain both knowledge and practical experience in key areas.
- Phase One: Build Knowledge
- Phase Two: Foster Connection
- Phase Three: Inspire Leadership
- Phase Four: Motivate More
Goals
The five goals define Project REACH’s success for programming and desired outcomes, which students will gain through Project REACH.
Representation matters – young people thrive when they encounter successful individuals from similar backgrounds. By connecting students with Black healthcare professionals through speakers, mentors, and industry leaders who share their experiences and guidance, we aim to inspire and support them as they explore careers in healthcare.
1
Develop knowledge of public health concepts and principles.
2
Understand the role and importance of school-based health care.
3
Gain awareness of the variety of school-based health care careers and the role of post-secondary education in career attainment.
4
Experience increased belief in themselves as a change agent for health in their families, schools, and communities.
5
Develop practical and relational skills via mentor-mentee relationships and at least one health-focused internship.
The Project REACH Model
Our program provides students with opportunities to explore school-based health care and career pathways. Each component builds on the last, helping students refine their interests for their summer internship. Key elements include:
Learning Sessions
Includes guest speakers from various health care professions, as well as group activities to build awareness and relationships within the cohort, to expand students’ understanding of health care careers.
Summer Internships
Pair students with Black professional mentors working in various health care fields. Mentors provide guidance, career insights, and support through shadowing and internships, encouraging students to pursue their goals.
Shadowing Opportunities
Allow students to observe health care professionals in action, firsthand, across different roles and settings.
Mentorships
Give students hands-on experience in health care settings, applying what they’ve learned. Internships also shape year-two discussions, with students engaging in peer reflection and collaborative projects, such as working with their school-based health center to implement real change.
Learning Session Curriculum
Throughout students’ time in Project REACH, they learn from a curriculum focused on youth development and equitable health approaches. The goal of year one of Project REACH is to build a foundational understanding of school-based health care and the importance of SBHCs in creating holistic and equitable approaches to health. The curriculum consists of three modules: Personal Development and Self-Discovery, Health and Education, and Career Exploration. Year two of Project REACH focuses on peer learning and skills-building through experiential opportunities. While the core modules remain the same, Professional Development sessions replace the Health Education modules.
