Youth Health Initiative
Empowering Youth. Improving Health.
This Month’s Theme
This month is focused on Food Insecurity. In 2024, 18.3 million U.S. households,13.7%, experienced food insecurity, meaning they struggled to afford or obtain enough food. This month, Youth Health Initiative is focusing on meal access for families with children receiving medical treatment, helping reduce everyday food costs so families can focus on their child’s care.
Local Issues
Persistent Food Insecurity
Food insecurity affects more than 1.8 million Ohioans—15.3% of the state’s population—including approximately 535,000 children, according to Feeding America’s 2024 estimates. That means roughly one in six Ohio residents faced uncertainty about having enough food. These numbers highlight the need for reliable, affordable food access in our own communities and the importance of supporting families struggling to meet this basic need.
General Health Access
In Cuyahoga County, where neighborhood conditions vary widely, health outcomes and life expectancy can differ dramatically depending on where someone lives. Residents in areas with high poverty and fewer resources often face poorer health and shorter lives — with life expectancy varying by up to about 23 years between nearby communities, showing how deeply social and economic conditions shape health opportunities.
FAQs
How do I join? Navigate to the “Get Involved” tab and fill out the form to become either a volunteer or a Student Ambassador!
How much time do I have to put into the organization? Not a lot of time at all! But we would love it if you supported us at volunteer/fundraising events. As a volunteer, you should contribute at least once a month (either volunteering/fundraising, or sending in an article).
When are the monthly meetings? Fill out the volunteer form and we will add you to the email list to receive meeting information!
Upon submitting my application to join the organization, how long will it take before I receive a response? You should receive a response in around 2-3 days, and if you have not, please contact us ASAP!
How do I volunteer/fundraise with the organization? Join our email list by submitting an application in the “Get Involved” tab, and we will send out more information there!
Where do we volunteer/fundraise? Currently we are based in Northeast Ohio, but our outreach has expanded to 6 US States including Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Texas, New Jersey, and Indiana!