A Kid-Friendly Place for Cinco de Mayo: NextGen Youth Advocates™ Host Free 2-Day Health & Wellness Open House May 4th and 5th

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- NextGen Youth Advocates (NGYA)™, a project of Alcohol Justice, will host a free 2-day Health & Wellness Open House at the Alcohol Justice offices in the Canal District of San Rafael over Cinco de Mayo Weekend. With a mix of social and educational activities, the two days aim to promote prevention through celebration. The event is free for local youth and their families. Participants will engage in a range of hands-on activities, workshops, and giveaways focused on substance prevention and healthy lifestyles. Front and center will be the efforts of the youth advocates themselves.

"Alcohol Justice is passionate about equipping youth as the changemakers of our future, actively mentoring the next generation to know their voice matters, no matter their age," said NGYA™ Youth Advocate Co-Instructor Chauncey Bryant.

The youth who participate in NGYA™ will assist with all the presentations, including gardening demonstrations, personal testimonials, and staffing book giveaway tables. By bringing the community in and allowing the participants to stand front and center in prevention efforts, the event aims to provide a model for a healthy neighboring gathering place. As communities become more and more aware of the need for alcohol-free "third places"—engaging, constructive and youth-friendly social facilities and programs—NGYA™  supports youth in standing up and making one for themselves.

"We want to make substance prevention easy to understand, and show that living a healthy, balanced life is something everyone who comes through our doors can do," said Susan Bryant, NGYA™ Youth Advocate Co-Instructor.

"In our fast-paced digital world, this event offers the chance for personal connections and resources to help youth make choices for a lifetime of growth and healthy living," said Susan Bryant.

NextGen Youth Advocates™ brings together youth from the San Rafael Canal District and across Marin County to develop positive, protective behaviors and learn and grow from each other. Based at the Alcohol Justice offices in the Canal, the program offers after-school support in a safe environment while grounding kids in traditions of self-advocacy. Through identifying avenues for community change, participants learn both the value of healthy behaviors and how to stand up for the kind of civic environment that makes it possible.

"Personal health and empowerment for kids goes beyond what we can simply teach," said Raul Verdugo, Director of Advocacy for Alcohol Justice. "It's about demonstrating what we can do collectively to address and seek change. Youth can imagine the world they deserve; we can help identify the resources they'll need, and NGYA™ helps them build the skills to make it real."

Who: Speakers

• Chauncey and Susan Bryant – NextGen Youth Advocates™, Alcohol Justice
• NextGen Youth Advocates

What: Health & Wellness Open House 

When:

Sunday, May 4, 2025, 12:00 - 4:00 P.M.

Monday, May 5, 2025, 3:00 - 6:00 P.M.

Where: Alcohol Justice - 24 Belvedere St., San Rafael, CA 94901 

Why: Alcohol Justice and NextGen Youth Advocates™ are bringing the community together for this event to address critical needs. We are offering opportunities to learn about substance prevention, get involved in youth advocacy, discover organic gardening, and leave with tangible takeaways like organic produce, vegetable starts, and children's books—all in support of healthy, vibrant lifestyles. Alcohol Justice youth programming is grateful for the support of the Sierra Health Foundation and Marin County HEAL Collaborative. 

CONTACT:       

Raul Verdugo

(310) 6899401             

Carson Benowitz-Fredericks

(917) 426-6443

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2677439/NGYA_openhouse_May25_eng.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/147418/5296577/ALCOHOL_JUSTICE_LOGO_01.jpg

SOURCE Alcohol Justice