2026 Teen Action Team Recap

This summer, the Communities for Youth Teen Action Team, made up of middle and high school students from across the Treasure Valley, worked to support teen mental health and well-being in their communities. The team kicked things off by digging into what social connection really means and exploring local youth data to see how risk and protective factors like stress, sleep, self-awareness, and social isolation shape teen mental health.

From there, they put that learning into action, working to advance Communities for Youth Boise's Youth Friendly Business program by recruiting local businesses, partnering with Valley Regional Transit to identify barriers to transit for teens, and promoting Get Out There, a resource for Treasure Valley teens looking for places and spaces to hang with friends, explore new interests, and connect with others.

Along the way, the team heard from a variety of community guests and partners, including Idaho Public Television, Boise Parks and Rec, Central District Health's youth vaping prevention program, Boise Fire Department, and Valley Regional Transit staff. They also spent a full day at Boise City Hall giving feedback on the city's Youth Roadmap and worked with various agencies within the City of Boise.

Between all of the outings and events, the team leveled up their media skills, learning how to conduct interviews and capture photo and video content to help amplify Get Out There and YouthWell. I.D., a platform where Idaho teens can get mental health and well-being information and hear real youth perspectives.

The summer wrapped up with a celebration, where interns shared presentations on topics they're passionate about, reflected on how their ideas of community building and prevention had grown since the internship started, and wrote down commitments to carry this work forward.

We are so proud of everything our interns accomplished this summer. Their voices and perspectives play an integral role in our work at Communities for Youth and help us better support teen mental health and well-being across Idaho.

If you are a teen or know someone who would like to get involved in school-year or summer Teen Action Team activities, please sign up for our youth newsletter or contact our Youth Engagement Coordinator, Heidi Jaerger, at heidijaerger@boisestate.edu.