The partners for Appalachian Youth to Youth include:

Appalachian Youth to Youth was identified as an action, that when combined with other actions in our community, has a reasonable chance of making a difference in behavioral health outcomes in Yancey County. This is an ongoing program in our community. However, due to COVID-19, Appalachian Youth to Youth has not been offered since March of 2020. 

The customers for this evidence-based youth program are middle school youth. Appalachian Youth to Youth aims to make a difference at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community change levels. Implementation will take place at East Yancey Middle School and Cane River Middle School.

Partners Aligned Toward Health (PATH) hired a new Youth Program Specialist in May to restart the Appalachian Youth to Youth (Y2Y) program. Y2Y successfully restarted programs at East Yancey Middle School and Cane River Middle School in September. Getting youth signed up for the program was challenging initially since it was a new program for students. Our focus in 2023 will be to increase participation in the programs.

Appalachian Youth to Youth participation numbers increased from 18 to 32, just 4 participants shy of doubling their numbers. Students performed a substance use prevention skit for elementary schools in Mitchell and Yancey counties. Six Youth to Youth students also attended the Empower: Teen Leadership Summit, a youth-led leadership conference hosted by Teen Health Connection in Charlotte, NC.