Approximately 120 youth leaders from across Southwest Washington gathered at the ESD 112 Conference Center in Vancouver, Washington, on December 11 for the annual Youth Advocacy Training. The high-energy, one-day event builds students’ skills and confidence to advocate for meaningful change in their schools and communities.

Coordinated by Prevent Coalition, in partnership with peer-led organizations, Teens for Tomorrow and Unite! Washougal Community Coalition, the training brought together students in grades 8–12 for a day of leadership development, public speaking workshops, collaborative games, and hands-on community engagement activities, all centered on empowering youth to create healthy, drug-free environments in their schools and communities.

Student Everly from Pleasant Valley Middle School shared:

“The reason that I think that kids should be involved in advocacy and prevention is because if just adults are doing it, then everyone will have the same ideas. But if a kid comes in… then all of the adults can get a new perspective. Kids bring a whole new perspective to everything.”

A key reason this training stands out is that it is built by youth, for youth. Many sessions were led by peers and past participants who returned to share their own advocacy journeys, creating an authentic learning environment where students could see themselves reflected in the success stories of those just a few years older.

“Using your voice is something that, growing up, people are taught,” said Vivian, a senior at Hudson’s Bay High School. “Through being more active in my community and this training, I’ve learned that an equal part of using your voice is listening to other people, listening to their perspectives and their opinions. That can, in a lot of ways, be just as valuable as standing up for what you believe in.”

The day was far from a typical training. Between interactive workshops, students connected through music, games, and prize giveaways designed to build relationships across different communities. The youth themselves even had a say in the menu, selecting Dave’s Hot Chicken for lunch, a small but meaningful choice that reinforced the event’s commitment to centering student voices.

Students left equipped with tangible advocacy tools and the confidence to implement prevention initiatives in their own schools. Past training alumni have gone on to lead impactful projects, including “Find Your Good,” “Cocoa & Caring,” and “Friends for Life,” student-driven campaigns that have reached hundreds of their peers.

The training also provided valuable networking opportunities, connecting youth with adult advisors, prevention staff, coalition coordinators, and community leaders who can support their advocacy efforts long after the event ends.

“Youth Advocacy Training is one of our favorite events each year,” said Matthew Cox, Program Coordinator at Prevent Coalition. “Watching young people discover their power to influence change is inspiring—these students are the future of prevention.”

For Prevent Coalition and its partners, events like Youth Advocacy Training represent an investment in community-led prevention efforts that start with those who know their schools and communities best: the young people who live and learn there every day.

About Prevent Coalition

Supported by the fiscal agent ESD 112, Prevent Coalition is a community coalition formed in 2003 to increase collaboration, awareness, and reduce youth substance use in Southwest Washington. Prevent also implements initiatives for rural communities across Washington state. As a community mobilizer, we’re creating a culture promoting healthy choices; advocating for policies and regulations that protect, empower and nurture youth; and facilitating positive opportunities for youth to be involved and thrive. For more info, visit www.preventcoalition.org.