ACT Youth Network Honored by NYS Health Commissioner

December 17, 2012

Sara Birnel-Henderson, Akeema Duff, Shaquiella Duff, Dymond Cathcart, Humberto Cruz (Director, NYSDOH AIDS Institute), Sue E. Kelly (Executive Deputy Commissioner, NYS DOH), Michele Luc, Shalonte Page Anderson, Tymell Parrish

The ACT Youth Network, sponsored by the ACT for Youth Center of Excellence, has received the New York State Department of Health Commissioner’s Award for their extraordinary efforts in raising HIV/AIDS awareness. The award was bestowed in a ceremony commemorating World AIDS Day 2012 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany on December 5th . Providing consultation to the Department of Health, ACT for Youth, the Harlem Health Promotion Center, and Cornell University graduate students, among others, Youth Network members have brought youth voice to a wide range of projects promoting adolescent health. They have given early, essential feedback on the design and messaging of media campaigns, websites, focus groups, workshops, surveys, and more. Their input has made each project more accessible and relevant to youth. BCTR congratulates the ACT Youth Network, as well as coordinators Sara Henderson, Michele Luc, and Heather Wynkoop, on this high-profile recognition of their many achievements.