Our Values

Advocacy. We actively empower people of all ages to raise their voices for positive change.
Collaboration. We work collaboratively with youth and adults as individuals, and throughout communities to improve health and support a strong public health system for adolescents.
Communication. We are open, honest, and timely in our communication and believe this to be a key aspect of strengthening relationships between youth and adults in health care settings.
Individuality. We value the diversity and identities of all individuals regardless of age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, family life, religion, ability, gender, and sexual identity.
Innovation. We are continuously learning and strive to apply the most advanced information and research to be a revolutionary leader in public health.
Integrity. We act with a consistency of character and are accountable for our actions.
Passion. We are committed in our hearts and minds to making positive changes, and promoting an energizing, optimistic, and fun environment.
Respect. We approach all people with significance, understanding, compassion, and dignity.
Social Justice. We seek fairness and justice for all individuals in society.
Storytelling. We capitalize on the power of storytelling to make positive change.
Teamwork. We leverage and celebrate the abilities of all team members as we work together toward our vision and mission.
Wellness. We value the journey through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, achieving their full potential; a multidimensional and holistic process encompassing environment, lifestyle, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

Our Beliefs

We believe in...

Being youth-driven. Teens are the population best equipped to provide accurate, authentic advice and insight into the needs, concerns, and preferences of their generation.
Emphasizing prevention. Teens are in a stage of rapid psychosocial development and experimentation, making them particularly susceptible to behavior-based illnesses; many of which are preventable. Prevention saves lives and money.
Strong patient-provider relationships. Teens will make healthier decisions and will seek the care that they need if they are able to have open and honest conversations with a trusted healthcare provider.
Access to quality health care, resources & education. Teens have the right and responsibility to access confidential comprehensive, and developmentally-, age-, and culturally-appropriate support, resources, and services.
Equality and equity. All teens have the right to high-quality health care that reflects knowledge of, sensitivity to, and respect for their differences, identities, and unique needs.
Erasing stigma. Teens have the right to experience health care as a natural part of living including judgement-free care and conversations based on sex-positivity and mental health parity.
The power of diverse voices. Teens have the ability to create change by sharing stories and life experiences related to age, gender, sexual identity, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, geography, family life, religion, and abilities.
Youth empowerment. Teens have the ability and right to make choices about their own bodies and deserve the opportunity to develop skills needed to become life-long advocates for themselves and others.