Friends DO Make a Difference
Mission and Objectives
Mission
The Mission of the Friends DO Make a Difference is to create emotionally healthy environments for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students recognizing that friends DO make a difference.
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Objectives
Objective 1: Increase student’s leadership capacity to talk about mental health
Objective 2: Provide a safe space for students to talk about mental health and other issues
Objective 3: Find creative solutions to healing
Objective 4: Help students claim their identity as a source of strength
2023-2024 | Denver
Friends DO Make a Difference Program
We are excited for our year long program sponsored by the National Asian American Pacific Islander Association (NAAPIMHA) designed for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander high schoolers in the Denver area that are interested in mental health, community building, and leadership opportunities.
What Does the Program Entail?
The Friends DO Make A Difference program will take place during the Fall of 2022 thru Spring of 2023 in Denver, CO. Students will learn from mental health experts and community leaders while building community with each other. The program will include learning sessions, fun activities, and the opportunity to earn community service hours. In addition, students will receive a certificate from NAAPIMHA recognizing their participation in program.
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Fall 2023 *
The Fall semester will include 3 interactive learning sessions:
Session 1 - Cultural Identity and Mental Health
Session 2 - Mental Health Challenges and Suicide Prevention
Session 3 - Resiliency and the Power of Ally-ship
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Spring 2024
The Spring semester will be focused on a community-based project designed by the students and will be supported by our team. This will kick off with a final learning session - Moving Out Into the Community, that will focus on helping the students develop a plan for their project. During the project, high school students will also be connected with college students who will serve as coaches to support and guide them throughout the semester.
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Fun Activities - This TOO is mental health!
In addition to the learning session and community based project, the program will offer fun activities for students to build community and develop friendships! This may include karaoke, outings to support AANHPI businesses and programs, art/self care workshops, etc.
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Who Is Eligible to Participate?
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander high school students in the Denver Metro region are welcome to apply for the summit!
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Does it cost anything to participate?
No! The program is monetarily free to participate. We just ask for your time and energy throughout the program. Additionally, NAAPIMHA will support costs associated with the community project.
More questions?
Email Allyson Goto at allyson@naapimha.org
Achievements
NAAPIMHA has trained students at over 40 universities, 5 student-run conferences, and 7 national conferences.
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Highlighted universities: Harvard, Michigan State, NYU, Ohio State, Stanford, Syracuse, UC Berkley, University of Georgia, University of Florida, University of Colorado, UPenn, Vanderbilt
