The Alliance created the Active Transport Healthy Communities Student Ambassador Program (formerly known as the Safe Routes to School Student Ambassador Program) in 2019 to engage youth who are interested in creating meaningful and effective change through policy and practice. The ATHC Student Ambassador Program is ideal for middle or high students interested in advocacy and public policy, specifically as it relates to transportation, health, education, and/or environmental policy.

This YMCA program aligns closely with the national Active People, Healthy Nation initiative led by the CDC to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027. Specifically, the work of ATHC Student Ambassadors supports the CDC’s strategy, Activity-Friendly Routes to Everyday Destinations.

Activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations is a strategy that improves the design of communities by connecting routes such as sidewalks, trails, bicycle lanes, and public transit to destinations such as grocery stores, schools, worksites, libraries, parks, or health care facilities. This strategy makes it safe and easy to walk, bicycle, or wheelchair roll for people of all ages and abilities.

The 2022 ATHC Student Ambassador Program will include a curriculum led by national public health, planning, and transportation consultant, Mark Fenton. Participants will have the opportunity to virtually engage with their peers statewide to learn, innovate, and advocate with one another for safer, more walkable communities for people of all ages and abilities.

Additionally, ATHC Student Ambassadors will have the opportunity to conduct research, meet with key stakeholders in their community, and share their findings with the Alliance of New York State YMCAs, YMCA of the USA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York State Legislature, and other active transportation advocates.

It is our goal that ATHC Student Ambassadors will be confident in their abilities to articulate the health benefits of walking; identify factors which make communities walkable; identify community leaders who have the power to influence creating activity-friendly routes to everyday destinations and engage with community leaders on how to create meaningful change.

The Alliance of New York State YMCAs will identify students involved in any YMCA program from around New York to serve as ATHC Student Ambassadors based on their submitted applications and the recommendations of their local YMCA staff.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE

The Alliance of New York State YMCAs is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests all 37 independently incorporated YMCAs across the State of New York and its 135+ branches and facilities. The Alliance advocates for and educates New Yorkers on the Y’s mission to promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

ABOUT MARK FENTON

Mark Fenton is a national public health, planning, and transportation consultant, an adjunct associate professor at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and former host of the “America’s Walking” series on PBS television. He is author of numerous books including the bestselling Complete Guide to Walking for Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness (Lyons Press, 2nd edition 2008). He was a developer of the University of North Carolina’s Active Transport Healthy Communities clearinghouse, and facilitator for the walkable community workshop series of the National Center for Bicycling and Walking; he now provides technical training and community planning as an independent consultant. Mark was a member of the United States national racewalking team from 1986 to 1991 and competed in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Trials in the 50-kilometer (31-mile) racewalk. He studied biomechanics at the Massachusetts Institute Technology, was a researcher at the Olympic Training Center’s Sports Science Laboratory in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and manager of Reebok’s Human Performance Laboratory. Mark has research publications and articles related to exercise science, physical activity promotion, and community level interventions. He is a vocal advocate for non-motorized transportation, a frequent consultant on bicycle and pedestrian community plans, and recognized authority on public health issues and the need for community, environmental, and public-policy initiatives to encourage more walking, bicycling, and transit use.

LEARNING GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Throughout the duration of the ATHC Student Ambassador Program, participants will learn:

• Fundamental principles of healthy community design that support safe walking and bicycling, as well as low-cost approaches to applying these principles
• The foundational role transportation plays in civic responsibility and social justice.
• How to use tools, such as Photovoice and Community Walk Audits, to engage their community and advocate for change
• How to effectively advocate to community leaders and elected officials the need for creating safer, more walkable routes to everyday destinations
• How to summarize their findings and develop specific recommendations for action to present to community leaders and elected officials
• How to enhance their public speaking, critical thinking, and analysis skills

PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS

Selected ATHC Student Ambassadors will be expected to…

1. Attend all meetings or view the recordings when not available
2. Communicate regularly with program staff and respond within three business days
3. Remain engaged and attentive when present in virtual meetings
4. Ensure appearance and surroundings are professional and appropriate for all meetings
5. Complete the Photovoice Activity and present the results to the group
6. Choose a Capstone Project to execute in your community and present findings and processes to the group
7. Meet with local officials to advocate for the desired improvements to the community
8. Provide feedback and assistance to other participants and program staff
9. Complete the feedback survey at the end of the program
10. Uphold the YMCA’s core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility throughout the duration of the program

MEETING TIMELINE

ATHC Meetings will take place on a Tuesday from 5:30-6:30pm via Zoom

DATE	ACTVITY
April 14, 2022	Applications Due by 5:00pm
April 15, 2022	Notification of Selection
April 19th, 2022	Webinar: Welcome to the ATHC Program! / Photovoice Activity Introduction
May 3rd, 2022	Photovoice Activity Presentation & Capstone Project Introduction
May 17th, 2022	Virtual Peer Group Meetings: Reviewing Your Photovoice Activity
May 31, 2022	Webinar: Practicing Equity & Inclusion in Healthy Community Design
June 21st. 2022	Capstone Presentations
June 28th, 2022	Program Debrief, Evaluation and Celebrations

FAQs

What are examples of Activity-Friendly Routes to Everyday Destinations?

States, local governments, and community organizations use the following approaches to carry out this strategy: Complete Streets policies, comprehensive or master plans, zoning policies, Safe Routes (to School or Parks). Read more about these strategies here.

Will the ATHC Student Ambassador Program meet in-person?

Nope! This program is entirely virtual to ensure the health and safety of all participants, volunteers, and staff.

I have participated in the ATHC Student Ambassador Program in the past. What makes this year different?

As the program grows and improves new aspects are constantly being added.  This year we are excited to introduce a mentoring component for Veteran Student Ambassadors. Here, seasoned participants will help lead peer groups, guide new Student Ambassadors through the process, and provide regular feedback to the Program Staff. Additionally, Veteran Student Ambassadors will be encouraged to take their knowledge and experience and apply it in expanding the horizons of the groups work in new and inventive ways. Examples of this include creating an Accessibility Council at their school or in their community, help draft legislation with local officials, or coordinate local volunteer events.

What is the “Photovoice Activity?”

Photo-Voice is a way for people to describe an aspect of their community with a small number of photographs and captions. The idea is to take photos that represent typical conditions around a particular issue, in this case elements of your community that support or discourage people from being physically active, in particular walking and bicycling. Students will be asked to share three PowerPoint slides that comprise a quick photo-voice story about your community. As a group, students will then discuss possible solutions together.

What if I cannot make all of the assigned virtual meeting times?

All meetings will be recorded for later viewing by participants. While participants are expected to attend every meeting, especially the Virtual Summit in May and June, it is understood that schedules are full and occasionally they will not be able to attend. Viewing the recording later to catch up will be a perfectly acceptable alternative. The program staff will work with students to address any specific issues or difficulties regarding access or timing.

Is there a cost to participate in the ATHC Student Ambassador Program?

There is no cost to participate in the ATHC Student Ambassador Program.

Can I earn community service hours for participating in this program?

Yes. Students can earn community service hours for their participation. Time spent actively improving their community, such as the Photovoice Activity, leading a Walk Audit and advocating to community leaders will be considered as community service hours by the program and validated as such with a letter template you can use to submit to your school or other organization.

Where can I apply to become a ATHC Student Ambassador?

You can apply online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ATHC2022

I have another question. Who should I contact?

You may contact Drew Caldwell (Director of Youth Development) at dcaldwell@ymcanys.org.