Program
Rise & Thrive - Therapeutic Play Program
As participants of Rise & Thrive, you will also be able to serve in the role of a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) member for Colorado Black Health Collaborative. A YAC member is considered a youth under 18 years of age who provides their perspective on all CBHC topics serving the community to encourage others to join events and activities when opportunities are available.
RISE & THRIVE
Holistic Approach
Designed to empower Black and allied youth K-12 grounded in cultural, mental, and behavioral health practices, workforce development, the program bridges wellness, identity, and purpose to grow strong, confident young leaders while providing wraparound services that include clinical social workers.
Students learn through a whole person approach to build resilience, learn healthy coping strategies, and thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
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Cultural Relevance
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Physical and Mental Wellness Connection
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Community and Identity Building
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Stress Reduction and Coping Mechanisms
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Financial Literacy
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Empowerment through Values
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Leadership Development
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Healthy Goal Setting
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Accessible Mental Health Resources
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Destigmatizing Mental Health Conversations
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Educational Opportunities
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Lifelong Healthy Habits
We understand that addressing mental health issues in Black and allied youth is not just an investment in their well-being. It’s also an investment in cultivating resilient, empowered individuals who can face life’s challenges with strength, confidence, and a sense of community.
RISE & THRIVE
Program Impact
The initial pilot of the Rise & Thrive therapeutic program included 15 Vanguard Middle and High School students. The program was conducted two times per week, once at West Campus, once at East Campus, for fifteen weeks.
A post-pilot survey showed:
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90% of participants felt the program addressed specific challenges and concerns that are common among Black and allied youth.
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90% felt participation in the program helped them develop a better understanding of values and its importance as a driving factor in making habits forming decisions.
“Participation in group-related youth development programs serves as a source to support child and adolescent mental health by decreasing mental health difficulties.”
(Hoffmann et al., 2022).