We Need a Brighter Light! How to Be a Practical Activist and Make a Difference in the World through
There are so many problems in the world today. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and like you can't make a difference. But the truth is, anyone can make a difference if they have the right tools. In this session, we'll share with you some practical skills that you can learn to help make a difference in the world. One of the most important things you can do to make a difference in the world is to develop leadership skills and self-confidence. Our session will focus on the Health Professions Affinity Community (HPAC) Program: The HPAC program empowers local youth to become community health entrepreneurs as they advance themselves toward higher education and ultimately to the health professions. They are encouraged to identify and act upon their health concerns in their communities, which are recognized as powerful and resourceful contexts for health and growth. They adopt a newfound role of health care champion in their community, and they engage their community as a vital partner in the process. The HPAC program promotes student engagement and hands-on deep learning through the IDEAS model, which involves (a) Identifying important health concerns, (b) Developing efforts to solve those challenges with the resources and barriers within a community, (c) Enacting the program and engaging partners (d) Assessing the impact of their program, and (e) Sharing their successes with their community at camp and camp events. The HPAC IDEAS model promotes the expression of campers’ voice and urges campers to take charge of their development, connecting important life tasks to the own and community health concerns. Students find meaning in these activities, which enhances the non-academic aspects of academic success and is a fulfilling camp activity that is sustainable year-round. We will provide a free IDEAS Model Workbook for all participants and access to on-going consulting of the program and its integration into camp life. Making a difference in the world may seem daunting, but it's easier! By developing practical skills like leadership and self-confidence and befriending other notable people who are also making a difference, you'll be well on your way to making positive changes in the world. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start making a difference today, join us in our workshop and flip the light switch!
Location: The Gehres Room
This session will be led by Dr. Gina Weisblat & Dyeatra Williams.
Dr. Gina Weisblat is an American social scientist and has spent nearly 30 years addressing social determinants of health nationwide. She is best known for her Citizenship HealthTM work, a multivariate approach to improving health outcomes while developing and attracting under-resourced minority and rural youth to health professional career tracks while tackling community SDoH. Dr. Weisblat is the founder of the Citizenship Health Institute© and creator of the Citizenship HealthTM model. Over five Citizenship HealthTM programs exist, with the longest standing being the Health Professions Affinity Community (HPAC) and the most recent being “Smart House DocTM.” Dr. Weisblat is also an Assistant Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine/Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Dr. Weisblat is also the Co-Director of the Ohio Alliance, which brings together higher education and health care institutions, clinical providers, businesses, communities, and individuals to create a more diverse health care workforce that cares for under-resourced populations. Her passion for advancing the talents and skills of underrepresented and under-resourced populations began in theearly 1990s on the West Side of St. Paul, Minnesota, with a group called Teens Networking Together (TNT). She then earned a master’s degree in counseling and human services from John Carroll University, followed by a Ph.D. from Cleveland State University in Urban Studies. She is a National Kresge Scholar for her Asset-Based Paradigm model that examines utilizing assets in organizations, building capacity from that point of context, and creating long-term sustainability. She is also a dynamic professor, having taught classes including Graduate Advocacy for the Non-profit, Cultural Diversity Issues, Graduate Grant Writing and Evaluation, Graduate Quantitative Statistics, and Community Experience. Dr. Weisblat is an accomplished public speaker and author of multiple publications related to human and community development. Her greatest joy comes from her family and mentoring staff to succeed in leadership roles.
Dyeatra Williams
Ms. Dyeatra Williams is the Executive Director of Strengthening our students-- a non-profit organization that helps underserved youth through scholarships, community programs, summer camps, college preparatory workshops, and addressing the Social Determinants of Health. Dyeatra was raised in Cleveland and spent her childhood participating in various community programs around town. She has especially fond memories of going to summer camp as a kid. Her time at camp motivated her to give back later and aid underserved youth in the area. She believes these types of meaningful experiences improve motivation, self-reflection, and positive social connectedness. The close-knit community Ms. Williams was raised in played a big role in shaping who she is today. Since she was young, Dyeatra was always taught by her family that education is very important and powerful. After graduating high school, she went on to get her associate degree from Tri-C. Then, she completed her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University. Lastly, she finished up her Master of Integrated Professional Studies with a focus in Community Development and New Housing Construction. She is also the co-owner and founder of community Action Consultants. In addition to running SOS, she is also a faculty member of the NEO Community Health Worker Certification program, works in her family's business (Minority owned and operated for over three generations) and is the administrator for the Citizenship Health Institute. Furthermore, she devotes her time to multiple community service projects, professional organizations, and Emmanuel Baptist Church. Ms. Williams firmly believes that education is the key to the future of our youth, and she strives to ensure that every child has equal access to resources and opportunities necessary for success. She continues to fight for quality education in her community and beyond. Ms. Williams is a true testament to how hard work and dedication can make a difference in the lives of others. She is an advocate for educational equity, and through her work with Strengthening Our Students, she has made great strides in helping underserved youth achieve their full potential. Ms. Dyeatra Williams is proof that anything is possible when we come together with a common purpose. The success and growth of Strengthening Our Students would not be possible without her dedication and commitment to the youth she serves. Ms. Williams' work helps ensure that all children have the opportunity for a bright future, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. Her passion and drive will continue to make a positive impact in the community for years to come.