Promote health in 100 teens in Portland, Oregon

Captain Marvel may be focused on saving the planet, but on Earth MIKE has its super heroes of health. Each week MIKE mentors join youth at De La Salle North Catholic High School to promote healthier lifestyles. The youth gain knowledge and skills as they develop healthy relationships with these super role models.

Last week, mentors and other health professionals visited the youth for a blood pressure clinic. The youth donned medical white coats and strapped on stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs in a quest to measure their blood pressure.

Siva, a volunteer mentor who just joined MIKE this semester, refers to her experience with the youth as a learning journey. She says she approaches her time with the youth as an opportunity to discover how best to advocate for health inside a classroom of ninth graders.

Besides mentoring MIKE youth at Hillsboro Big Picture School, Siva volunteered to guide the De La Salle youth through the blood pressure clinic. She says each experience expands her foundation for teaching and working in public health. 

“I think that the youth at this age are the perfect audience to learn about health since they are so malleable,” she says. “When I was 14, I didn’t know about healthy behaviors.” She says the more weight she gained, the more she felt depressed. Now, she’s at a fit weight, eats a proper diet and exercises.

“However, I’m thankful for those past experiences, because now I am very passionate about health,” says Siva. As she prepares to complete her degree in biochemistry at the University of Portland this spring, Siva says her experience with the youth is a super way to begin her career.

Your support helps these Heroes of Health equip youth with the tools they need to succeed. Together, we can all inspire youth to achieve a healthier future.

Links:

• MIKE Program website