Empowering Youth:
Community Level Health Project

OPGS is a proud partner of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts’ (PHI) Community Level Health Project. PHI oversees the Youth Mental Health Coalition, serving youth and families across Greater Springfield. Beat the Odds youth advisors inform the Coalition’s decision-making processes and provide insights into the experiences of youth living in Springfield.

In November 2023, the Youth Mental Health Coalition joined in partnership with the Behavioral Health Network (BHN). This collaboration aims to unite therapeutic mentors and Beat the Odds youth advisors, offering personalized 1-on-1 sessions to foster goal development, provide guidance, offer advice and motivation, and enhance emotional well-being. Speakers are invited to present at the monthly meetings to connect other OPGS vendors together, fostering synergy in the collective efforts to support youth, young people, and implement problem gambling prevention strategies.

At a recent meeting, Beat the Odds and OPGS Regional Coordinators attended a presentation given by Gandara Center’s PhotoVoice students from Springfield! The students from both groups were eager to collaborate and learn from one another, demonstrating the importance of youth in shaping prevention efforts and becoming real change-makers in their communities. Check out some photos from the meeting below: