Local youth met over the summer to advise North Central Public Health District (NCPHD) on ways to im-prove youth outreach. They also created a glass art mural for the health district’s clinic. Pictured, from left, are Hilda Olivo, certified medical assistant at NCPHD, Martha McInnes, director of NCPHD, students Esme Vega, Maria Karen Cervantes, and Gabby Vega, and NCPHD Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Hanlon-Wilde.
Local youth met over the summer to advise North Central Public Health District (NCPHD) on ways to im-prove youth outreach. They also created a glass art mural for the health district’s clinic. Pictured, from left, are Hilda Olivo, certified medical assistant at NCPHD, Martha McInnes, director of NCPHD, students Esme Vega, Maria Karen Cervantes, and Gabby Vega, and NCPHD Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Hanlon-Wilde.
Contributed photoTHE DALLES — A new student-created glass art mural, featuring an expanse of bright blue sky filled with butterflies, hummingbirds and flowers, adorns the clinic hallway at North Central Public Health District.
The mural was the final product of a summer of work with a local youth advisory council. Students were asked how the health district could better reach young people to let them know about reproductive health services at the health department.
They suggested getting the word out on youth-friendly social media platforms like TikTok, and perhaps hosting an event. The students also planned to get the word out themselves, and some already have.
Reproductive health services at the health district include a wide array of birth control methods, emergency contraception, and sexually-transmitted infection testing and treatment.
At the mural unveiling Nov. 17, NCPHD Director Martha McInnes told the youth, “I think we’ve got a lot to offer, but so do you.”
She said the mural “really brightens the day of so many people that work here. I really believe that art impacts people in a beneficial way.”
Local glass artist Stephanie Johnston led the effort to create the six-panel mural.
Gabby Vega, a nursing student who heard about the youth council at an event at Columbia Gorge Community College last spring, said she joined the group because she wanted to help spread the word about health department services.
“I told my sister and her friends, don’t feel shy to come here if you need anything like birth control,” Gabby said. The health district is at 419 E. Seventh St., and the phone is 541-506-2600. For more information, visit www.ncphd.org.
She said she also told some teenage moms about the WIC program at the health district, which provides nutrition assistance and education to pregnant people, moms and their kids through age 5.
Jennifer Hanlon-Wilde, a nurse practitioner at NCPHD, convened the youth group and was pleased with the results. “They felt they learned a lot about reproductive health, they learned about how to prevent infections.
“I do feel there’s a ripple impact,” Hanlon-Wilde said. “Each of these kids has a positive impression of us. They are going to share that with their friends.”
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.