Four years ago, we made a big bet as an organization and decided to center youth voice and leadership as part of our strategy. Over the years, we have had phenomenal leaders step up to lead their peers, and influence how HealthMPowers operates. And now we want to give you an update on how they are doing! As we move through this season of gratitude and reflection, join us in cheering on these amazing young people, and how their experience at HealthMPowers helped to shape who they are. First up: Álvaro Saldarriaga Arcila. When Álvaro moved to Georgia from Colombia in 2022, he played soccer and spent his free time at the gym. But he noticed that many of his friends and family weren’t as active, and that his friends had their own ideas about why. That curiosity led him to HealthMPowers. He joined YAB with a simple goal: to make healthy living feel “attainable rather than overwhelming,” so other young people could “take that first step with confidence.” By his senior year, he was co-chair. In 2025, Álvaro received the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network’s Rising Star Award, which recognizes outstanding youth leaders in afterschool and youth development programs. Today he’s a sophomore at Georgia Tech. “The Youth Advisory Board was the experience where I learned the most about the world and myself.” Fun update: in the last few days, Alvaro has earned his IISE Lean Six Sigma Green Belt! Over the next few weeks, you’ll meet more YAB alumni. Share their story, be inspired and help us cheer them on!