What We Do

Helping Young People Thrive Where They Are

Using a multilayered approach, our program features two programming components recognizing that adolescents can thrive in their environment when they have access to the right resources, opportunities, and support.

Project Salus is a program funded by the NYS Department of Health, evaluated in partnership with Cornell University “ACT for Youth’s Positive Youth Development Initiative” focused on:

  • By providing a safe, accessible space where adolescents can ask questions and find accurate, reliable information, our website is designed to make it easier for youth to explore their health options with confidence and connect to the support they need.

  • Grounded in the social ecological framework, our clubs and classrooms are intentionally designed to be safe spaces where adolescents, no matter their background or experience level, are encouraged to ask questions, share their experiences, and receive meaningful support.

  • Seeing every challenge and setbacks as opportunities for growth helps anyone enhance their problem-solving skills. Adopting a Growth Mindset allows individuals to understand that skills and abilities can be enhanced/developed through effort.

  • Advocacy is an essential skill that benefits everyone.‍ It empowers individuals to understand, communicate, and express their needs, make informed decisions, and approach difficult challenges with confidence.

    By embracing a growth mindset, people can strengthen and refine their advocacy skills to take greater control of their personal growth.

Our sessions are designed to be welcoming to all youth, approachable, and accurate. Always grounded in facts, not fear.

We encourage questions and aim to create a safe space where students feel heard. Our goal is to provide honest, up-to-date information so students can make informed decisions for themselves, now and in the future.

How Our Two Programming Components Work

Our program is built on the belief that meaningful growth happens when learning and application come together. Each component plays a unique but complementary role in helping youth build confidence, self-awareness, and the skills to make healthy, informed choices.

In the classroom, our evidence-based sexual health education equips students with the knowledge and tools to make responsible decisions about their well-being.

Beyond the classroom, our evidence-informed after-school clubs expand on these lessons through activities that strengthen social-emotional learning and promote positive goal setting by reinforcing a growth mindset over a fixed one.

Blending research with real-world practice to create engaging and adaptable learning experiences.

Evidence shows that pairing skill-building activities with comprehensive health education strengthens protective factors, increases self-advocacy, and supports positive decision-making.

Building The Foundation for Lifelong Growth

To ensure students receive the full benefit of this evidence-based approach, both components are designed to complement one another, even if they are not implemented at the same time.

Each part reinforces the other by providing the knowledge, space, and support young people need to grow.

Together, our components are designed to help youth strengthen their confidence, build healthy relationships, and develop the skills to become capable self sufficient adults.

learn more about our two facets

Classroom Program
After School Program

Partnership in Action

Hear Directly from The Schools We Work With!

  • A graphic logo featuring a fierce-looking tiger's face with orange fur, black stripes, and white accents, set against a background with a large black letter 'L' and an orange block.

    Lyndonville Central School District

  • Logo featuring a large black letter H with a red and black eagle's head in the center.

    Holley Central School District

  • Logo of Batavia City School District, featuring a large letter 'B' in the center, surrounded by a blue circle with the district's name.

    Batavia City School District

  • The logo of Medina Central School District in Medina, New York features a shield with a horse and chain on the left, a lamp on the right, and the words 'The Best from Teach' on a banner. Surrounding the shield is a blue and white circular border with the district's name and location.

    Medina Central School District

  • A sports logo featuring a stylized blue eagle with white and yellow accents, flying in front of a large, stylized letter 'K' in blue with a white outline.

    Kendall Central School District

A group of five young people covered in colorful powder celebrating together, smiling, and showing their hands covered in vibrant colors.

Everything we do is designed to help teens feel seen, heard, and supported; while also giving them real tools they can use in everyday life.

We use games, discussions, creative projects, and movement-based activities to keep things fun, educational, and youth-centered. Teens often tell us this is one of the few spaces where they feel truly comfortable opening up.

If you are a teen, caregiver, or school partner interested in joining or hosting a program, let us know, we would love to connect!