Youth are driving it all…our policy work, our program work, everything!
Why? Because they know best what they need.
Youth Voice is Our Foundation
Working with Oregon’s youth is our privilege and honor. Their perspective and ability to advocate and elicit change is not only impressive, it’s effective. This is why we amplify youth voice at every level of our organization.
See recent work created by youth below, including Minor Consent Zines, Sexual Health Education Cards, the Informed Voices Website, the Healthy Futures for All Pamphlet, and the AdvocaTEENS Mental and Sexual Destigmatization Presentation.
Youth-Led Programs at OSBHA
Through programs like Student Health Advocates (SHA) and Youth Corps (YC), youth lead and co-create initiatives that prioritize youth wellness in their schools in partnership with the school community. But this involvement doesn’t just help communities and Oregon’s youth as a whole. It also helps each engaged individual develop critical skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation, while fostering self-confidence.
Minor Consent Zines
One example of these initiatives is the Care & Consent Zine, in which youth from SHA and Black & Beyond the Binary Collective collaborated in 2024-25 to create youth-friendly materials discussing relationships, consent, and Oregon’s Minor Consent Rights. See the free-to-view and print copies of the English and Spanish versions here. For guidance on how to fold a zine once printed, look at this tutorial here. We hope that the more youth, adults, and community members who know about this important information, the better. If you want to support projects like this, please consider donating to OSBHA, so we can continue prioritizing youth-led initiatives in our organization.
Game Decks Made By Youth!
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So... Is This Okay? is a scenario-based card deck that invites youth to explore real-life situations involving consent, boundaries, communication, healthcare, and relationships. Players sort cards into categories such as Healthy, Unhealthy, or Somewhere in Between. The goal is for youth to reflect and participate in thoughtful discussions with other youth about scenarios they may encounter in their daily lives and uncover different perspectives.
Click the hyperlink to get access to instructions on how to print this scenario deck!
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Fact Check, a myth vs. fact and multi-choice question deck, is an interactive learning tool designed to increase youth knowledge of health, relationships, consent, healthcare access, confidentiality, and personal rights. By challenging common myths and providing accurate, youth-friendly information, the deck supports health literacy and empowers young people to make informed decisions.
If you’d like a physical Fact Check deck, please contact: asia@osbha.org
These decks were developed by 2025-2026 Youth Health Advocate: Maria Vazquez Parra
Oregon Youth Wellness Card Game
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Designed specifically for Oregon youth, this interactive card game turns difficult topics into engaging, judgment-free discussions. Players draw Topic Cards and compete to respond using their Category Cards—earning points through peer validation and group voting. It is a fun, fast-paced way to build knowledge, practice communication, and develop critical thinking around health and relationships.
Made by 2025-26 Youth Health Advocate, David Castro-Andrade
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Anatomy & Health
Bodily functions, puberty, and reproductive health basics.
Communication
Asking questions, setting boundaries, and expressing feelings clearly.
Boundaries & Safety
Healthy vs. unhealthy dynamics, consent, and knowing when to ask for help.
Self-Care & Identity
Emotional well-being, self-respect, positive connections, and celebrating identity. -
1. Draw a Topic: On your turn, pick a Topic Card and read it aloud.
2. Respond with a Category: Other players choose a Category Card from their hand that best matches the topic.
3. Vote to Validate: The group discusses and votes on whether the category fits the topic. If the vote passes, the player discards their card.
4. Win: The first player to discard all of their Category Cards wins the round.
Perfect for classrooms, after-school programs, youth groups, and community health workshops across Oregon. -
Download the official Canva template below to print your physical card set. Follow these simple steps:
Open Canva Template
Step-by-step: Click, then Share, then Download. Make sure to set it as PNG so the cards print in an appropriate size.
Pro Tip: For best results, print on heavy cardstock paper and laminate for durability. Cut along the guidelines and your deck is ready to play.
SHA 2025-26 Projects
Informed Voices Website
The Youth Education Committee —Grayson, Jon, Safa and Yunah— built a website to better inform their peers about conducting advocacy efforts and research. Check out the five lessons and the full website here.
Healthy Futures for All Pamphlet
Created by SHA 2025-26 members, Brandon, Ria, & Sydney, the resource was created to combine many resources in one place for immigrant and undocumented families. Click here to view & print.
AdvocaTEENS Mental and Sexual Destigmatization Presentation
The AdvocaTEENS consisted of Noor, Andy, Rosario, Sahasra, and Shaivi, who hoped to bring mental and sexual health conversations from a youth-led perspective. To view the whole presentation, click here.
Youth involvement is truly a win for everyone!
It makes OSBHA programs and policy better
It helps support positive youth development
It makes Oregon’s future stronger and brighter
Whether a student is an advocate, a beneficiary — or both — this work impacts their trajectory.