Youth Engagement Program Featured in CDC Best Practices User Guide

We are incredibly excited that the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) youth engagement program, Y Street, was recognized in the CDC Best Practices User Guide “Youth Engagement in Tobacco Prevention and Control." 

In the image above, Y Street Leadership Team members and Fauquier County school board officials pose after creating a tobacco- and e-cigarette-free environment.

Fifteen years ago, we proudly helped VFHY create Y Street to meaningfully engage high school students in promoting community health. Since then, our youth engagement team has led Y Street to become the state’s largest youth-led movement, winning four Youth Advocates of the Year Awards from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Since 2004, more than 9,000 Virginia teens have been trained to engage their communities in tobacco and obesity prevention efforts. We have developed and implemented 11 campaigns spearheaded by the Y Street Leadership Team and youth members to educate and build support among lawmakers, community members, school administrators, and other key decision-makers to drive effective policy change.

Most recently, Y Street celebrated the successful passage of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s 100% Comprehensive Tobacco-Free and E-Cigarette-Free Schools bill, a focus of the Virginia 24/7 campaign, which was highlighted in the CDC Guide.

Watch this video to hear what youth have to say about Y Street: