Learn. Grow. Make a difference.
Healthy WashCo offers a variety of programs for youth throughout the community. All programs are free and open to everyone. Healthy WashCo youth programs aim to build skills and inspire young people to lean into their aspirations. This creates a space where community change can occur and confidence can be cultivated.
Youth, rise up!
Youth Leadership
Youth Leadership
Youth Leadership
This is the foundation, the meat and potatoes of Healthy WashCo. Our summer leadership program is a great opportunity to develop skills, meet new friends, learn more about yourself and have fun all the while. There are other youth leadership opportunities that are infused throughout the year. Check them all out below!
Youth Led
Youth Led
Youth Led
Time for you to take the wheel. We sponsor two youth-led groups. These groups are a platform for youth to make real sustainable community impact. The youth who are involved plan, develop and implement projects to promote mental wellness and/or substance misuse awareness. The groups are a forum for youth voice and a real world venue to practice leadership.
Youth Future: Possibilities
Youth Future: Possibilities
Youth Future: Possibilities
Many of the young people that get involved in Healthy WashCo youth programming are budding HEAL professionals - occupations in the health, education, administration, and literacy arenas. We have offered students nearing their highschool graduation internship opportunities with the Washburn County Prevention Department. All levels of Healthy WashCo youth programming offer opportunities to develop both yourself and your resume for the future.
The Oak:
WashCo Youth Center!
Check out the newly acquired youth center and what to expect!
Youth spotlight
Alyssa Langham has volunteered with Washburn County Health and Human Services (HHSD) for over a year in prevention programming. Alyssa was hand selected by their school in the spring of 2021 to serve as a youth leader in the newly established Youth Leadership Adventure CREW Training. Since then, Alyssa was instrumental in the creation of Change in the Youth (CITY), a youth coalition aimed at reducing substance use among youth in Washburn County. Alyssa was a leader during CITY initiatives during the 2021-22 school year. This summer, Alyssa continued by serving as a CREW member at the 2022 Youth Leadership Adventure. Through this, Alyssa was able to bring skills they’ve learned over the past year to new CREW members and the middle school explorers served at the training.
The Youth Development & Prevention (YDP) Team at HHSD has been honored to work alongside Alyssa the past year and watch them change Washburn County into a healthy, happy place for youth to thrive. “Alyssa came to us with amazing interpersonal and leadership skills and we’ve seen them compound on those and grow into an extremely successful young adult,” according to Lindsay Hayden, Drug Free Communities Coordinator.
During their senior year, Alyssa approached the YDP team to become more involved. Alyssa completed a 12 week internship while learning some of the foundations of substance use prevention and creating a logic model to address youth vaping in Washburn County.
Alyssa is attending the University of Wisconsin Whitewater with a social work major. Although they are across the state, with virtual technology, Alyssa is assisting with planning the 2023 WashCo Youth Leadership Adventure and CREW training.
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Wall of awesome!
