Never Too Young to Make a Difference

Contributed

Initiated locally by a student at Fairview High School, the Youth Health Knowledge Association is an international program that helps to bring health education to the community in accessible ways through educational events that provide information about preventive care and managing chronic conditions.

The Youth Health Knowledge Association (YHKA) is a student-led nonprofit organization that aims to "make healthcare education more accessible to communities by hosting healthcare- themed events, informational sessions, community drives, and more."

Founded in September of 2023 by Fairview High School student Ananya Desireddi, the YHKA has grown from a small group raising awareness into something greater. As of today, there are over 100 managing members and 400+ volunteers, aiding thousands of people across the United States and internationally, with branches extending into Morocco and Canada.

Desireddi described her inspiration behind creating the organization: "I was motivated by the realization that many health disparities come from a lack of health literacy. I noticed that a lot of people don't have access to clear, reliable information about preventive care and managing chronic conditions."

Starting up the organization proved to be a "long and often tedious" process. With the aid of her vice president Ayush Bharath and a dedicated team including Aarnika Purshotham, Florence Manuel, and Asheen Udgiri, their hard work has paid off and the YHKA is able to assist more members of our community now than ever.

"From developing our mission and planning our first events to recruiting members and building partnerships, it took a lot of time, effort, and persistence. But seeing the impact we could make kept us motivated throughout," Desireddi said.

As a standard, the organization usually aims to host one event a month, though some months may have more depending on partnerships and the needs of the community. These events range anywhere from healthcare informational sessions to community drives, wellness workshops, and spreading preventative care awareness.

Topics featured at these events and informational sessions can include exploration into the sciences like genetics and chemistry, understanding heart, dental, and mental health. From there, a variety of activities and resources are provided to gauge one's understanding of the material discussed.

One of the organization's greatest success stories, Desireddi recounted, "was a health awareness drive that reached over 500 local residents, many of whom had never had access to reliable information about preventive care."

Another success story worth noting has been the YHKA's partnership with other local schools to bring interactive health workshops directly to students.

The YHKA hopes to expand into mentorship programs, hands-on health workshops, and incorporate more interactive community initiatives into the future of their organization.

Some of the greatest challenges the YHKA have faced have included volunteer recruitments, maintaining constant participation, and coordinating events across multiple locations. However, the team expressed that every obstacle they face grants them alternative ways to organize and build rapport with their community.

Partnerships and general outreach have proven essential for the longevity of the mission, connecting passionate students looking to establish chapters within their own communities. By guiding these students through the process and replicating her model, Desireddi noted that additional chapters of the YHKA have popped up in Texas and Minnesota, with others underway.

As far as outreach is concerned, the YHKA relies on a mixture of social media promotion and school and community partnerships to ensure these opportunities are reaching as many people in need as possible, as well as through word of mouth. Currently, their Instagram is halfway to 1,000 followers, with new posts made regularly.

One of the most rewarding experiences for Desireddi has been seeing the direct impact of the organization's events. Whether that be witnessing a student understand the importance of preventative care, or helping a family gain access to the resources they need, "It makes all the effort worthwhile."

Looking ahead, Desireddi said, "We hope to continue expanding our reach, both locally and internationally, while creating sustainable programs that empower communities with the knowledge to take control of their health."

For students and other young leaders looking to get involved or start something within their own communities, Desireddi offered sound advice: "Start with a clear mission and don't be afraid of asking for help. Building a network of supportive peers and community partners is key. Consistency and patience matter more than doing everything perfectly at first."

Follow @yhkassociation on Instagram to learn about upcoming sessions and events.

Cassandra Gripp is a freelance writer and editor. She can be reached at cassie.gripp@gmail.com.