I was invited by the NJ Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to co-present a workshop at the “Building a Culture of Health in New Jersey: Thriving Communities Transform Lives” conference that was held on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 in Somerset, NJ. The mission of the conference was to improve health, equity, and well-being for all residents. The conference included many interesting workshops presented by speakers from various backgrounds. The conference was well-attended by caregivers, dietitians, early care/health educators, evaluators, health care providers, local health departments, municipal/transportation planners, parents, policy makers, public/population health professionals, and school administrators.
My workshop entitled “Youth Leading the Way in Building a Culture of Health in NJ” consisted of a panel of 4 presenters. I talked about my involvement and experiences with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program and about the importance of and need for youth engagement in schools and in communities. The other presenters in my workshop presented on topics such as human trafficking awareness, public safety, and drug prevention. Another workshop that I was able to attend was entitled “Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Journey to Wellness for Youth.” All the presentations were very informative and educated me on many topics that I was previously unaware of. Overall, it was a great opportunity to highlight the Fuel Up to Play 60 program and the importance of youth voice and engagement!
Anirudh (Ani)
Summit Ambassador
New Jersey
11th Grade