“Power to the Youth” Wellness Fair Educates Youth and Families about Mental Health

Hathaway-Sycamores kicked off the new year with our 2nd Annual “Power to the Youth” Wellness Fair this January at the Highland Park Recreation Center, where young people and their families were presented with an array of supportive resources and activities to bring wellness and mental health into focus.

The event featured an inspirational panel of speakers: published author and social change servant, Orion Brutoco, Occidental College’s Community Programs coordinator Allegra Padilla, and Reach Leadership founder Irvin Magana shared about their personal journeys in community work, focusing on the importance of perseverance.

Booths at the event offered information on wellness and mental health, learning opportunities and creative activities.

Our amazing Youth Leadership members ran their own activity booth and were honored by Councilmember Gilbert Cedillo with individual certificates for their hard work.

Music, delicious food, a free photo booth and Aztec dance and capoeira performances provided a festive atmosphere for attendees.

The event drew more than 280 community members to listen, learn, laugh and launch into 2019 with wellness tools and resources to use every day. Thanks to our co-hosts the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council, City of Los Angeles Councilmember Gil Cedillo, and City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, as well as all our partners who helped make the event such a success:

Academia Avance Charter School, American Legion Allied 302, Anahuak Youth Sports Association, Arroyo Vista Family Health Center, Calliope Academy, Capoeira São Salvador – Young Musicians Foundation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Clinica Romero, Comprehensive Community Health Centers, Inc., DSTL Arts, Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, LADOT Transit, Los Angeles Public Library – Arroyo Seco Branch, NAMI Glendale, Nightingale Middle School, Occidental College, One Degree, Peace Over Violence, Planned Parenthood of Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley, Reach Leadership, TASK, and The Wall Las Memorias Project.