This year’s Youth Advocates cohorts are off to a strong start, with 39 members across San Antonio, Dallas, and Brownsville.

In September, all three regions kicked off with Sex Ed Boot Camp, a full-day training on reproduction, contraception, STIs, healthy relationships, consent, and more. The interactive sessions encouraged thoughtful discussion and gave members space for questions. Watch the recap video from Sex Ed Boot Camp here.

As one participant shared, “My key takeaway was that healthy relationships always have to start with you loving yourself first and being able to respectfully communicate.” Others described the training as empowering and fun. “I loved it so much. I made such good memories!”

This effort supports Healthy Futures’ mission to expand access to sexual health education and resources. Stay tuned for a youth-led campaign this semester.

Highlights included:

• Campus Engagement: From Welcome Back events like Late Nite and Yogurt Bar at the Rec to 11 in-class sessions, our health education team created welcoming spaces for students to learn, connect, and feel supported.

• Professional Leadership: Staff presented “Rethinking Outreach in Health Education” at the Texas Society for Public Health Education, sharing innovative strategies for student recruitment and retention in higher education.

This milestone year sets the stage for even greater impact ahead.

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and Sexual Health Awareness Month, our September blog highlights Dallas College’s holistic approach to student wellness. From breaking down stigma to offering bilingual resources and mobile clinics, Dallas College is creating safe, supportive spaces where students—especially Hispanic students—can access the sexual health education and services they need to thrive.

Read the full blog post: "Supporting Student Success Through Sexual Health Education," by Luz Gonzalez, Associate Dean of Health Services & Promotion at Dallas College.

Healthy Futures of Texas is proud to have been selected as a Wellpoint Foundation grant recipient to launch our new Community Health Worker Certification Program. We are deeply grateful for this support, which makes it possible to expand training for trusted community members who connect families to resources, strengthen access to care, and help reduce disparities in maternal and infant health.

Our work is part of Wellpoint Foundation’s nationwide commitment to strengthen maternal and infant health programs in under-resourced communities. Together, we are advancing healthier futures for moms, babies, and families across Texas.

More details about this new certification program will be shared soon.

Thank you for your support during North Texas Giving Day and The Big Give. Your generosity helps us expand access to sexual health education and give young people the knowledge and confidence they need for healthier futures.