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Community Health Advocates Summer Initiative
About the program
The Community Health Advocates Summer Initiative (CHASI) is a culturally responsive health education and leadership summer program designed to empower Spanish-speaking youth with the knowledge to make better-informed health decisions and the tools to become emerging advocates within their schools, families, and communities.
CHASI provides youth with a foundational understanding of public health topics, particularly relevant to adolescents and Baltimore City youth. In addition, the program guides participants in the development of a social impact project proposal to drive positive contributions in their communities while also engaging in community service, creative expression, and leadership. Youth emerge as informed, empowered, and dedicated advocates.
Important Information:
Program Dates: Saturdays from Jul 29 to Aug 21
Thank You for Appplying
Some topics covered, include:
Health Equity & Baltimore
Analyze the different factors shaping immigrant health
Learn about Health Disparities & social determinants of health
Explore and discuss Baltimore’s most pressing health challenges AND health topics particularly relevant to youth.
Community Engagement: Emerging community advocate
Strengthen Leadership and community organizing skills
Learn how to start social projects from young and community leaders
Develop a proposal to make a meaningful and collaborative impact in your community
Addressing the gap
The Community Health Advocates Summer Initiative (CHASI) was created in response to the lack of information and culturally sensitive assistance that reinforces barriers to care for historically underserved communities. Furthermore, in many immigrant households, children frequently serve as the primary voice for their non-English-speaking families when navigating healthcare systems from which they feel excluded, often without fully understanding the medical terminology or implications themselves.
Empowering youth with health education is therefore essential for improving health navigation at the family level and shaping youth into advocates for their community and close networks. CHASI addresses the gap in health literacy and culturally sensitive assistance by equipping participants with the knowledge, training, and tools needed to navigate health services and make informed decisions about their health.
Broader Impact
As caregivers receive more accurate guidance from their children, they also become better informed to make decisions and are able to share this knowledge with their broader community, such as their work environment or neighborhood. Ultimately, the program fosters more empowered communities that understand their rights, responsibilities, and resources, contributing to improved health literacy and informed health decisions.
With support of:
2. Volunteering at partnered organization
We facilitate sessions on diverse topics at an after-school program for high school students
We cover from health and civic education to history and the arts
Interested in joining? Send an email