On April 25, 2025, more than 90 teens and youth leaders from across Southwest Washington gathered at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver for the Elevate Youth Prevention Summit. The annual summit is a day-long event focused on youth leadership, wellness, and substance use prevention.
The Elevate Youth Prevention Summit is hosted by ESD 112’s Prevent Coalition in partnership with local coalitions and community organizations.
“The summit is all about giving young people a voice and a strong support network,” said Paula Linden, Community Prevention Project Coordinator at Prevent Coalition. “By encouraging young leaders to share their ideas, we can impact positive change in our communities.”
Students participate in hands-on workshops at the Elevate Youth Prevention Summit
Students, youth groups, and prevention clubs build confidence and take an active role in creating healthier schools and communities at the event. Workshop topics focused on mental health, preventing youth substance use, and developing leadership skills.
Many student participants expressed excitement about continuing to learn about leadership and team collaboration. “Learning to talk to people is an important skill,” said a 7th-grade student at Pleasant Valley Middle School, Battle Ground Public Schools.
The native plant restoration areas at the Water Resources Education Center offer both educational value and mental health benefits. Prevent Coalition incorporates outdoor environments into youth prevention events to encourage connection, self-reflection, and stress reduction.
As the summit concluded, students left with new tools, lasting connections, and a renewed commitment to creating positive change in their schools and neighborhoods.
About Prevent Coalition
Prevent Coalition, formed in 2003, is a community-based initiative serving Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties, as well as rural communities throughout Washington. Supported by ESD 112 and local partners, Prevent Coalition works to create a culture of healthy choices and open doors for young people to lead and succeed.
Contact Prevent Coalition for updates about the 2026 Elevate Youth Prevention Summit.
