Physical Health United States Project #5952

Promote health in 100 teens in Portland, Oregon

by MIKE Program

Project Report | Apr 23, 2020
MIKE Youth and Mentors Connect in New Ways

By Sherry Harbert | Communications Director

MIKE founder shares information with youth.

The coronavirus pandemic has altered the lives of youth in many ways. Schools in Oregon and most of the nation have shifted to online platforms, abruptly ending most in-person gatherings. MIKE Program has shifted in response, focusing on continuing mentor engagement with the youth.

In the first weeks of launching virtual classrooms, youth at De La Salle North Catholic High School (DLSNC) have come to rely on their digital devices for much more than socializing. Now their devices are a direct link to their education. The DLSNC health teacher has been coordinating with MIKE to provide health education that builds context around the recent pandemic, as well as provide vital support to the youth moving forward.

The online platform provides a way for MIKE mentors to stay connected with the youth. The transition to a live video platform provides the youth, mentors, teacher and MIKE staff with a timely way to connect for expressing their ideas and experiences. Such connections are vital to sustaining positive relationships that are the foundation of youth development.

MIKE mentors actively engaged with the youth online, describing how they were coping, as they transitioned to online classes and work. Most MIKE mentors are in academic training programs, pursuing careers as medical and public health professions. The mentors encouraged the youth with ways to relax, eat healthy and exercise while adhering to the “stay-at-home” directives.

With all the news swirling around the pandemic, youth have questions. This week they took part in a group conversation about the disease and ways to cope. MIKE’s Founder and Executive Director provided a direct resource, answering questions posed by the youth.

The youth asked basic questions, like how do people contract the disease, and more difficult questions, like how long will this situation last. As a medical doctor, MIKE’s founder responded with information provided by leading sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

According to the NIH, the COVID-19 pandemic affects Individuals of all ages. While most younger individuals who contract the virus are asymptomatic, the risk from symptoms requiring hospitalization is highest in people aged over 65 years.

For people with certain underlying conditions, the disease has impacted individuals in all age groups, especially in communities of color. Researchers at the CDC have found that individuals with the following chronic diseases are at higher risk for severe symptoms of COVID-19:

Hypertension
Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Chronic respiratory disease
Cancer
Renal disease, and
Obesity

The youth discussed why social distancing efforts help lessen the spread of COVID-19, allowing medical personnel and facilities to better manage services.

By working closely with the school, MIKE has been able to restructure curriculum that supports the youth and their education. Your support is even more important in sustaining the positive relations between mentors and youth during this time.

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Feb 3, 2020
Celebrating National Mentoring Month

By Mike Program | Communications Director

January is MIKE’s favorite month of the year. It’s National Mentoring Month, which means we take time to celebrate the dedicated individuals who mentor with MIKE. Each MIKE mentor serves as a role model to encourage youth toward healthy behaviors. We’re excited to introduce you to three mentors this month.

Jimmy has been mentoring with MIKE since 2018. He volunteers for two sessions each week and volunteers for MIKE’s Education and Mentoring Committee. Jimmy always arrives with a bright smile and energy to manage his group of ninth graders. He immediately establishes a positive rapport with each youth throughout the class semester.

After graduating with a degree in radiologic technology from the Oregon Institute of Technology, Jimmy found he wanted to expand his education, so between work at the Portland VA Medical Center and volunteering with White Lotus Dragon and Lion Dance Group, he volunteers with MIKE to encourage youth to discover their more about themselves while developing advocacy skills. Jimmy finds mentoring a great way to share his passion about health.

Sakina has been volunteering to mentor MIKE youth for two years. She brings a warmth and interest in each of her youth that reinforces the impact mentoring brings. As the oldest of seven siblings, she’s used to being a positive role model.

Sakina graduated from Salisbury University with a degree in biology and is now preparing to apply for medical school. “I strongly believe everyone should take an interest in their health,” she says.

Lindsay began her first semester in mentoring with MIKE just this month. Having worked as a hemodialysis technician at a dialysis clinic, Lindsay realized how much she loved to serve others. So it wasn’t that much of a stretch to find MIKE as an opportunity to hone her mentoring skills while she pursues a health sciences degree.

Between her classes at Portland Community College and Portland State University, Lindsay volunteers with MIKE to encourage youth to experience health in new ways. Lindsay says she gains greater insight with each session and hopes she’s helping guide youth to develop confidence and skills to promote healthy behaviors in themselves and others.

Links:

MIKE Program website

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Nov 11, 2019
Kidneys Make an Impact with Youth

By Sherry Harbert | Communications Director

Patric, Nick and Steve at Fresenius

The team at Fresenius Kidney Care welcomed MIKE youth to their facility to present a first-hand look at the impact of kidney failure. The youth were enthralled with meeing individuals undergoing dialysis.

Steve, who works as a social worker at the facility and serves on MIKE's Board of Directors, arranges the tours each semester for MIKE youth.

"I like to be with people on their journey, from patients to the youth," said Steve. "If I can lighten the day for them, I feel that I've made a difference."

Steve, along with his colleagues, took part in presenting all the facets of dialysis, as well as the career opportunities for youth. Patric, a nurse with the facility, told the youth how he assesses the patients each visit, and watches for impacts to their health. His co-worker Nick, who is a dietician at the facility, described the drastic diet changes that kidney patients must undergo. The youth were amazed that some of the foods that are most healthy for them have a totally different physiological impact on individuals with kidney loss.

Nick said that dialysis patients cannot take in the normal amounts of fluids or potassium. As he listed the foods that the youth often eat, from bananas to pizza, the youth began to understand the lifestyle changes that happen for individuals on dialysis.

"It's better to never have to be in that position," he told them.

The tour is part of MIKE's programming that reinforces healthy lifestyles at an early age. As Steve told the youth, if you start now and maintain healthy behaviors, you can avoid the impacts of chronic diseases.

For the youth, the tour provided an insight into the lives of individuals who must undergo dialysis for the rest of their lives, of if they are fortunate, able to receive a kidney transplant.

One of the youth said he was so glad to have the change to go to the dialysis facility. "It makes me realize how important my health is now."

These impactful experiences are possible due to the support of generous donors like you. Together, we can build a healthier world.

Links:

MIKE Program website

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