Student voices drive change at Y2Y Health Summit

Over 100 students and staff at the annual Y2Y Health Summit

On April 4, The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health hosted the annual Youth-to-Youth (Y2Y) Health Summit at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. This dynamic event provided an opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to come together, share their experiences, and empower one another in their personal and community health journeys.

Patricia Salmeron, Associate Director of Wellness Programs

As Patricia Salmeron, Associate Director of Wellness Programs at The L.A. Trust, reflected, “The summit brings us together to spark change. It’s about students owning their wellness journey, speaking up, and creating the conversations that can lead to positive, lasting change in their communities.”

The summit featured an array of engaging workshops, including “Rooted in Wellness: Creating Your Best Self,” where students learned about developing healthy habits to improve their well-being. In “Culture and Belonging,” students explored how cultural identity and belonging contribute to mental and physical health. Other sessions addressed the role of data in health advocacy through “Using Data for Learning and Action,” as well as the importance of advancing health equity. This year, 122 students from 18 partner schools participated in the event, which included several impactful sessions. Among them were six dynamic student-led workshops that brought peer perspectives and lived experiences to the forefront:

Garfield High School students talked about health disparities between different regions

• Garfield High School students presented "Comparing Health Disparities: East LA vs. Beverly Hills," explored how conditions in East LA impacts health compared to conditions in Beverly Hills through student stories and local data.

• Monroe High School students hosted the "Resistance Over Reliance: Managing Stress Without Addiction,” where they shared healthy ways to cope with stress and anxiety without turning to substances.

Students from Monroe High School discussing coping strategies without turning to substance use

• Belmont High School students presented on "Social Media & Teen Mental Health," highlighting how excessive social media use can harm mental health and safety and emphasizing the importance of healthy online habits.

• Jefferson High School's presentation on "Tobacco/Vape and Drugs" aimed to educate students about the real dangers of using tobacco, vaping products, and cannabis.

• ELC High School students led "Breaking the Silence Short Film," an engaging screening focused on coping mechanisms to help students navigate stress and emotional challenges.

Carson High School Students discuss the prevalent types of bullying

• Carson High School students presented "Was it Mean or Am I Just Sensitive," breaking down the differences between joking and bullying to promote empathy and respectful communication.

Luiz Argueta, a student of Santee High School

Luiz Argueta, a student from Santee High School, delivered an inspiring spoken word performance at the start of the Y2Y event, sharing how his involvement in the Wellness Youth Advocates (WYA) program has profoundly impacted his life. Luiz discussed how the program helped him move beyond surface-level information about substance use, mental health, and sex education to a deeper, science-based understanding. He emphasized the importance of mental health, learning to recognize signs of stress and anxiety, and how seeking help is a sign of strength. Luiz also highlighted the program's focus on healthy relationships and making informed choices about one’s body and future. Through his journey with WYA, he gained confidence, knowledge, and a sense of responsibility to share these lessons with others, becoming a passionate advocate for wellness and education.

Genesis Cruz, former WYA at Jordan High School

Genesis Cruz, a sophomore at the University of Southern California and former student at Jordan High School, delivered a passionate keynote at the Y2Y event. Reflecting on her upbringing in Watts, she shared how the lack of discussions around sexual health in her community, especially within the Latino culture, led her to join the Wellness Chasers to educate herself and others. Genesis discussed the systemic health disparities she noticed between communities, particularly regarding environmental justice and access to resources. Her experience led her to advocate for her community and push for greater equity. She inspired the audience with a powerful reminder: “Whatever you believe, you can achieve. Set high standards for yourself. Be ambitious. Be curious. Be bold. And if someone ever tells you that you’re ‘too much,’ you tell them to go find less.” Genesis’s speech called on youth to keep showing up, asking tough questions, and building a future where all communities can thrive.

Students meeting other WYAs in different high schools and exchanging ideas

The Y2Y Health Summit is designed to guide students in prioritizing their overall wellness. It helps students recognize that health goes beyond just physical well-being-- it encompasses mental, emotional, and social aspects of life. In a time when mental health struggles are increasingly common among young people, this holistic approach is more relevant than ever. By focusing on nurturing all parts of a student’s well-being, the summit underscores The L.A. Trust’s commitment to promoting balanced, healthy living.

The success of this year’s Y2Y was made possible through the collaboration and support of our incredible partners. Organizations and individuals like Dr. David Lyons, Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles County Public Health, Federally Qualified Health Centers, LAUSD Organization Facilitators, FCancer, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, UCLA, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Kaiser Permanente, and Center for Wellness and Nutrition, a program of the Public Health Institute, through funding from the California Department of Public Health, all played an invaluable role in offering resources and assistance, helping to ensure a successful and enriching experience for all students involved.