Community Health Awareness Network

💰 **Money, Money, and Money!** 💰

Yesterday, our CHANGE-makers participants immersed themselves in a full day of learning about banking, finance, and financial literacy essential life skills that will help them make smart financial decisions now and in the future.

The day began with an engaging session led by Brittany Haley, AVP Financial Education Manager at All One Credit Union, and her outstanding team. Participants explored key financial concepts, including:

• The importance of debit and credit cards and using them responsibly.
• Understanding credit and how it impacts future financial opportunities.
• Protecting personal and financial information from identity theft.
• Knowing what documents should be shredded, securely stored, or safely discarded.
• Learning the 50/30/20 budgeting rule as a practical guide for managing income.
• Understanding the difference between needs and wants and how to make wise spending decisions.

These interactive lessons provided our youth with practical tools to build healthy financial habits, protect themselves, and prepare for financial independence.

A sincere thank you to Brittany Haley and the entire All One Credit Union team for investing in the financial future of our young leaders. Together, we’re not just teaching about money—we’re building confidence, responsibility, and lifelong success.

**Empowering tomorrow’s leaders today.**

On Tuesday July 28th,our CHANGE-makers had an incredible opportunity to visit the Massachusetts State House, where they experienced government in action and gained a deeper understanding of civic leadership. From touring the historic State House to engaging in thoughtful discussions about public service, our youth had the chance to ask meaningful questions and learn more about how state government serves our communities.

Although Senator Robyn Kennedy was unable to join us, we are deeply grateful that her team took the time to welcome our students, answer their questions, and share valuable insights into the legislative process. Experiences like these inspire the next generation of leaders to become informed, engaged, and active citizens.

A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Kayanna James for making this visit possible, and to Olivia Mahoney, Bryan Bates and Carol Meehan Oyama for your warm hospitality and for investing your time in our youth. Your support made this a memorable and impactful experience.

At CHANGE, we believe leadership is built through exposure, education, and meaningful experiences—and today was a perfect example of that.

🌟 Inspiring the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders! 🏥💙

Yesterday , participants in the CHANGE-makers Summer Youth Leadership Program had an unforgettable hands-on learning experience during the “Day in the Life: OBGYN” program at UMass Memorial Hospital!

Through a series of interactive rotations, our youth explored a variety of healthcare specialties, including Labor & Delivery, Postpartum Care, Ultrasound & Amniocentesis, Neurology, Anesthesiology, Doula Services, and Ambulatory Care. They engaged in realistic simulations, observed medical equipment, and gained valuable insight into the vital roles healthcare professionals play in caring for patients and families.
This immersive experience empowered our youth to:
✨ Discover exciting career pathways in healthcare
✨ Learn about women’s health and maternal care
✨ Build confidence through hands-on experiences
✨ Connect leadership, education, and service to real-world opportunities

At CHANGE, we believe leadership begins with exposure, education, and opportunity. The CHANGE-makers Summer Youth Leadership Program is designed to inspire young people to become confident leaders, informed advocates, and future professionals who will make a positive impact in their communities.

We extend our sincere gratitude to to Dr. Crista Johnson-Agbakwu, Dr. Cherise Hamblin and the incredible team at UMass Memorial Hospital for opening your doors, sharing your expertise, and investing in the future of our youth. Your partnership is helping shape tomorrow’s healthcare leaders and changemakers.

Together, we’re empowering youth to dream bigger, lead boldly, and build healthier communities.
💙 The future is bright—and it’s being led by CHANGE-makers!

HealthcareCareers UMassMemorial FutureHealthcareLeaders CommunityHealth STEMEducation CareerExploration YouthEmpowerment WorcesterMA LeadershipInAction MakingADifference

Empowering tomorrow’s Leaders, today. 🎤
Today, our CHANGE-Makers immersed themselves in a day dedicated to developing the qualities of a leader under the outstanding facilitation of Dr. Sheri-ann McLean of McLean coaching and consulting.

Through engaging activities focused on words versus actions, finding common ground, reflecting on the visit to the Community Harvest Project and creating a presentation about the importance of volunteering, role-playing, effective communication, public
speaking, teamwork, and leadership presentations, our young leaders were challenged to think critically, communicate with confidence, and lead with purpose. Every exercise reinforced an important lesson: leadership is not defined by a title, it is demonstrated through integrity, service, collaboration, empathy, and the ability to inspire others.

The reflection on our visit to the Community Harvest Project reminded participants that leadership is rooted in giving back. They explored how volunteerism strengthens communities and how even small acts of service can create meaningful and lasting change.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Sheri-Ann McLean for investing her time, expertise, and passion in developing our future leaders. As our CHANGE-Makers continue their leadership journey, they are building the confidence, communication skills, and character needed to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact in their schools, neighborhoods, and beyond.

The Skanska Experience – Part 2 👷🏾‍♀️🏗️✈️

Some lessons simply can't be taught in a classroom—they have to be experienced.

Our CHANGE-makers Summer Youth Leadership Program participants traded their everyday clothes for personal protective equipment, laced up their boots, and stepped into the role of construction professionals for an unforgettable boots-on-the-ground experience with Skanska.

From the moment they geared up with safety vests, hard hats, and protective equipment, our youth were immersed in the world of construction and infrastructure. They didn't just hear about the work—they experienced it.

The highlight of the day was an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the **Terminal A construction site at Boston Logan International Airport**. Walking through an active construction site alongside Skanska professionals, our participants witnessed firsthand the planning, precision, teamwork, and innovation required to deliver one of the region's most significant infrastructure projects.

Every step through the site sparked curiosity and meaningful conversations. They learned how architects, engineers, project managers, skilled tradespeople, and safety professionals work together to transform a vision into reality. They asked thoughtful questions, explored career opportunities, and saw that the possibilities for their future are limitless.

This wasn't just a field trip—it was an opportunity to see leadership, collaboration, and excellence in action. Experiences like these broaden horizons, inspire ambition, and remind our youth that they belong in every space where communities are being built and the future is being shaped.

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible team at **Skanska** for opening your doors, investing in our youth, and creating an experience they will never forget. Your commitment to mentoring the next generation is helping build not only remarkable structures, but remarkable leaders.

At Community Health Awareness Network Grows Equity (CHANGE), we remain committed to exposing our young people to transformative experiences that inspire them to dream boldly, lead confidently, and build stronger communities.

**Empowering tomorrow's leaders today.**