Youth-REACH: Empowering Rural Youth for Healthcare Careers

Youth-REACH: Empowering Rural Youth for Healthcare Careers

By: Alexandra de Leon Date: September 24th, 2024

We’re excited to launch the YouthRural Education and Careers in Healthcare (Youth-REACH) Program! An innovative initiative designed to empower and prepare youth from rural areas in the WWAMI region for college and careers in healthcare.

Developed by the University of Washington Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center (HIPRC), this program aims to bridge the gap in educational opportunities for rural youth, providing them with mentorship, skills, and experiences crucial for their future success in the healthcare field.

Many rural communities face limited access to educational opportunities, particularly those preparing them for college and healthcare careers. There’s also a scarcity of mentors and role models in healthcare professions within rural communities, limiting youth exposure to potential career paths.

The Youth-REACH program would help eliminate some of these barriers by:

  • Providing Scholarships: for rural youth to participate in the HIPRC Insight High School training program, offering hands-on experience in healthcare and research.
  • Dedicated Mentorship: community mentors would be assigned to support students throughout their participation in the Youth-REACH program and beyond, ensuring ongoing guidance and support.
  • Career Support: offer opportunities for students to attend the Harborview Medical Center Career Day in January 2025 to explore possible healthcare careers for the future.
  • Community Engagement: collaborate with community leaders in rural WWAMI to establish local mentorship networks and connect students with regional healthcare opportunities.

The HIPRC is currently recruiting up to four high school juniors from rural Washington to participate in the program starting in September 2024. The program is seeking students who may face financial barriers in attending tuition-based programs.

Nominations from Eastern WA should be sent to Janessa Graves (janessa@uw.edu; self-nominations are accepted). Applicants should be from a rural area and otherwise be unable to participate in the program