Community health center program helps youth build job skills at recognized healthcare organizations
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Health Career Ambassadors working on a health education display |
Boston, MA - 14- to 21-year-olds who are part of the Hyde Square Task Force's Health Careers Ambassadors Program (H-CAP) launch a youth-written guide to educate their peers about different youth focused health issues and celebrate the end of their 8-month internship Tuesday, June 20 at 4pm at the Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF) office in Jamaica Plain. H-CAP is a partnership between the HSTF and four community health centers including Brookside Community Health Center and Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, both a part of Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
“A lot of people know the words, like cancer, but not the facts,” said Karina Rosario, who at 14 is H-CAP’s youngest member. “This book makes people more aware of diseases.”
Karina, of Jamaica Plain, is one of the 12 H-CAP members who works over 13 hours a week at the HSTF and Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, the first health center to partner with the youth support organization in 2004. Today, the H-CAP program has partnerships with four leading community health centers and receives about 40 applications each September from inner-city youth interested in building basic job skills and gaining exposure to various healthcare careers.
“This program is helping to build a healthier community, in an area that used to be overrun by drug dealing and youth violence,” said H-CAP coordinator Yi Chin Chen.
To speak with Karina or Yi Chin about the H-CAP program, or for a press pass to the book release party, please contact Jessica in Public Affairs at (617) 534-1603. The HSTF is located at 375 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain.
About the HSTF: In 1991, the organization was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit to create a safe, clean and friendly neighborhood in Hyde/Jackson Square, in Jamaica Plain. Through its educational programs and community organizing, HSTF develops the skills of youth and their families so that they are empowered to enhance their own lives and build a stronger urban community. For more information visit http://www.hydesquare.org.
About H-CAP: Started in 2004, H-CAP exposes youth to opportunities in the healthcare industry through job readiness training and job shadowing, internships in local community health centers and technical training to strengthen the skills needed to work in the healthcare field. For more information visit http://www.hydesquare.org/programs/youth.html.
About Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center: More than 8,000 patients in Jamaica Plain and surrounding communities – including infants, children, adolescents, adults and seniors – make approximately 35,000 visits to the health center, which features a bilingual Spanish/English medical and professional staff.
For more information, contact BWH Media Relations at (617) 534-1600 or BWHMediaRelations@partners.org.
