Highlights from C4Y Marsing's 2025-2026 Academic Year
- Tara Woodward
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
C4Y Marsing has had a strong and productive year! Along the way, we’ve made meaningful progress and also gained important insights to help guide our work moving forward.
The Marsing initiative is focused on creating a healthier, more supportive community for Marsing youth. Based on the Idaho Youth Well-being Survey results for Marsing, community members identified three priority areas that have guided our work over the past few years. These include increasing social connection (with peers, families, trusted adults, and the broader community), encouraging physical activity, and reducing youth access to substances.
The survey results have shown that low social connection and limited physical activity are linked to higher rates of depression and substance use among Marsing teens. Recent data shows encouraging progress, including increased physical activity and a continued decline in depressive symptoms. At the same time, the findings also highlight areas where more work is needed.
Compared with Fall 2024, Fall 2025 data showed a 6% increase in students reporting high levels of social isolation, underscoring the ongoing need to strengthen social connection. The data also showed an increase in youth reporting alcohol use in the past year. Of those who reported alcohol use in the past 12 months, 19% said they received it from a parent, while 18% reported obtaining it from a non-family member who is 21+. This insight reinforces the need to build strong protective factors and ensure adults understand the importance of not supplying alcohol to individuals under 21.
Key Projects
Some key projects the coalition is working on to support connection and well‑being for Marsing youth include:
A student interest survey to help guide future clubs and activities offered in the community
Monthly teen events, such as bingo nights, with plans to expand to other activities
Annual one-on-one check‑ins between counselors and students
Youth and family engagement nights
A community physical activity resource guide
A Sticker Shock campaign to raise awareness about underage drinking
Parent resources and community conversations
Promotion of the anonymous reporting system
2025–2026 Youth Well‑Being Survey
This year, 263 middle and high school students in Marsing participated in the Idaho Youth Well‑Being Survey.
Key findings from the data include:
Increased levels of physical activity
Decreased rates of depression symptoms
Students with high social isolation are more likely to experience depression
Students who get 8 or more hours of sleep are less likely to report depression
Students who are active for at least one hour a day report lower stress
Students with a trusted adult are less likely to drink alcohol
A virtual data walk and the full 2025 Marsing Youth Well‑being Report are available on the C4Y Marsing Data page.
Coalition, Partnerships, and Community Engagement
C4Y Marsing continues to grow through strong partnerships. Key partners include Marsing School District, Marsing students, the City of Marsing, Owyhee Health Coalition, Southwest District Health, University of Idaho Extension, Marsing Church of the Nazarene, and others.
This year, more than 23 community partners, parents, and residents participated in the Marsing Community Data Walk, with a core group of about 20 coalition members meeting monthly during the school year.
Looking Ahead
C4Y Marsing is encouraged by the progress made this year and the continued commitment from the community. As we move forward, we remain focused on strengthening connections, supporting healthy choices, and creating opportunities for youth to thrive.
We invite anyone in Marsing who cares about youth well‑being to stay informed, get involved, and be part of this work.
If you have any questions, please contact Community Lead Tara Woodward at Tara.Woodward@swdh.id.gov.
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