Rooted and Rising is a program that applies the 8 Dimensions of Wellness to drive change in the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) within our communities. SDOH are the conditions that influence health outcomes, including

• Economic Stability: Income levels, job security, and financial wellness influence access to healthcare, nutritious food, and safe housing.

• Education Access & Quality: Health literacy, access to learning opportunities, and overall education levels affect long-term well-being.

• Healthcare Access & Quality: Having access to preventive care, integrative medicine, and culturally competent healthcare is vital for achieving optimal health.

• Neighborhood & Built Environment: Safe housing, green spaces, clean air, and access to healthy food shape daily health and wellness.

• Social & Community Context: Strong social connections, reduced stress, and supportive environments contribute to emotional and physical health.

Rooted & Rising: Breaking Cycles, Building Strength

The Rooted & Rising Program acknowledges that early adversity (ACEs) and social conditions (SDOH) are deeply linked. Many of the health challenges individuals face—chronic stress, anxiety, fatigue, and burnout—are rooted in both early experiences and ongoing social stressors like economic instability, lack of access to healthcare, and systemic inequities.

💡 How Rooted & Rising Addresses This Connection:

✅ Community-Centered Support – Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Our program fosters safe spaces for connection, where participants can share experiences, build resilience, and engage in holistic wellness practices that strengthen both individual and collective well-being.

✅ Empowerment Through Education – By addressing social drivers of health, we provide tools for navigating stress, advocating for self-care, and accessing community resources, ensuring that participants can break cycles of adversity and reclaim their health.

✅ Trauma-Informed Healing – We recognize that past experiences shape current health, and our approach integrates acupuncture, mindfulness, and herbal medicine to regulate the nervous system and reduce stress responses.

✅ Whole-Person Wellness – We integrate nutrition, movement, and lifestyle medicine to help participants rebuild strength, restore balance, and rise beyond adversity—empowered and resilient.

This program is designed to be more than just a wellness initiative—it’s a movement toward healing generational wounds and cultivating thriving communities.

What’s the plan for Rooted & Rising?

Rooted & Rising will:

• convene our Student Council meeting once a month to inform the program focus

  • planning meetings are mostly online or hybrid - join the community!

• collectively choose a quarterly focus from the 8 Dimensions of Wellness Wheel

• meet In-person every 3 months

  • these meetings are either a workshop, a special event or group volunteer activity related to the focus of the quarter

• seek and engage support from aligned:

  • community members

  • mentors

  • donors and sponsors

  • AYA Board of Directors

Rooted & Rising is seeking:

Students

• students ages 13-24 to participate

  • high school and college students committees can be formed

• students interested in gaining leadership experience

• students interested in volunteering

• students looking to gain community service hours

• students committed to at least 6 months of participation

• students eager to learn and positively contribute to the community

Allies

• mentors, teachers, counselors

• workshop presenters

• community care partners

• career professionals

• entrepreneurs

• organizations and corporations interested in being allies for youth advancement

• donors