Appalachian Youth to Youth is an empowerment and leadership program which centers the voices of youth in Mitchell and Yancey counties and provides a space for youth to take action on the issues most important to them. Appalachian Youth to Youth draws inspiration from Youth to Youth International, an evidence-based, youth-driven, adult-guided program that has set the standard for youth development and prevention programming across this country and around the world. Appalachian Youth to Youth seeks to engage young people through meaningful discussions, activities, and experiences, developing their ideas and capacities to implement positive change in their communities and schools.

After receiving a federal Drug Free Communities grant from the U.S. department of Health and Human Services in 2016, PATH launched Youth to Youth programs in participating middle and high schools across Mitchell and Yancey counties. The program has maintained a thriving student membership and successfully completed a number of impactful community projects, with more projects currently underway.

Some of our completed projects include the following:

• The students voted on a name to represent both counties and came up with “Appalachian Youth to Youth” to set themselves apart from other Youth to Youth organizations.
• Youth to Youth members created a rotating bulletin board display in their school which they used to educate their peers on mental health topics such as stress management, anxiety, depression, and healthy coping skills.
• At multiple elementary schools, students performed a theatrical skit called, “Samantha Skunk: Love Your O’s”, to inform elementary school students on the health risks of e-cigarettes and vaping.
• Members of Youth to Youth conducted substance use prevention campaigns during Red Ribbon Week. As a part of the campaigns, they read drug and alcohol facts, paired with healthy coping skills and strengths-based suggestions, over the morning announcements for the entire week. Additionally, they hosted a school-wide art contest which gave students the opportunity to creatively express their personal reasons for avoiding substances.
• As a part of the service-learning component of Youth to Youth programming, students in each Youth to Youth group voted on community service field trips that match their volunteering interests. Students have volunteered at the Mitchell County Animal Rescue and the Yancey County Humane Society to provide companionship to lonesome animals. They have also volunteered at the Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center to help beautify the campus which serves those with physical and mental health challenges.
• In May of 2023, a small group of Youth to Youth students attended a weekend-long leadership summit in Charlotte, NC, called Teen Connection Summit. During the summit, students participated in workshops, attended social events, listened to inspiring guest speakers, and made new friends from across the state.

Activity Hillights:

Cane River Middle School