The DuPage County Health Department knows that mental and physical health among our teenagers is a critical focus, and wanted to go beyond just getting input from adults.
What better way to get insights than from the teens themselves?
Reality Illinois Teen Advisory Board serves that very purpose—giving incoming freshmen to graduating seniors a chance to contribute to the health and well-being of themselves and their peers—while at the same time offering them volunteer and leadership opportunities.
Glenbard District 87 Student and Community Projects Coordinator Gilda Ross is a board advisor—and strong supporter. She explained that Reality Illinois has chapters across the state and it was brought to DuPage County because it was “very much embraced by the health department,” in part because there is “a growing awareness of teen leadership.”
Years ago, Ross had an idea to bring high schoolers together to help each other, and the concept of Students For Students was created. She said that after being launched at Glenbard West High School,” it expanded to all four high schools.”
“The DuPage County Health Department Prevention Leadership Team (PLT) was officially established in 2011 following a county-wide health assessment that identified substance misuse and mental health among youth as critical priorities,” Ross said. “Their youth advocacy program, Reality Illinois, also started at that time, operating under the PLT's umbrella to engage high school students in local policy and prevention.”
“As the Glenbard West Students For Students Club sponsor (established in 1986), our missions were very aligned, and then I passed on the torch to others as the SFS sponsor and now serve as the advisor for Reality Illinois,” she added.
Teen members of the advisory board serve as “advocates for peer-led initiatives, provide feedback to the DuPage County Health Department’s Prevention Leadership Team and engage in projects centered on mental health awareness,” Ross described, adding that students can earn service hours as well, besides having a volunteer experience to put on their résumé .
Ross noted that the board meets during the summer and once a month at 6 p.m. during the school year, and on June 16, from 1-3 p.m. there will a “Teen Philanthroparty” to kick off the summer, at the Linda A. Kurzawa Community Center, 117 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.
Ross believes that getting involved with other like-minded teens throughout DuPage County gives these young people “another way for [them] to connect with their community; [making] as many connections in their lives as possible.”
One graduating student told her that after being part of the advisory board, he “learned the value of taking advantage of an opportunity that comes to you.”
“That’s what he’s taking with him. He felt like he learned such a valuable lesson,” Ross added. “That makes me happier than anything else.”
As opposed to just adults coming up with initiatives, it is “the realization of the value of the student voice,” she believes. “Kids are wired to do good. It’s incumbent upon the adults to help them.”
And since the health department wants to involve teenagers in creating those initiatives, it is “a perfect win-win,” Ross summed up.
Most summer meetings are held on Tuesdays from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Glenbard District Office, 596 Crescent Blvd. Glen Ellyn.
For more information, visit https://www.dupageplt.org/215/Reality-Illinois.
For more information on the summer kick-off Teen Philanthroparty and registration, visit https://www.dupageplt.org/223/Teen-Philanthroparty.
