Huckleberry Wellness Academy - San Francisco, Class of 2008

Huckleberry Wellness Academy - San Francisco builds on HYP’s extensive experience training Peer Health Educators. The Wellness Academy is an intensive three-year health career pipeline program that fosters interest and engagement in health-related professions. It is primarily funded by a workforce development grant from San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families. In its first year, the Academy recruited 17 high school juniors identified by their schools as high-potential underachievers. All will be the first in their families to graduate from college. 

Program components include training in health education, internship placements in health care settings, academic preparation and tutoring, peer group support, exposure to health professions, case management, and assistance with college applications. Youth will continue in the program during their senior year and throughout their first year of post-secondary education.  During the current school year staff will recruit an additional group of incoming juniors, while supporting the seniors to obtain health-related employment and gain acceptance into college or other post-secondary education. For more information on the Wellness Academy - San Francisco, please contact Vicky Valentine, Director, Huckleberry Wellness Academy - San Francisco at 415.386.9398 or at vvalentine@huckleberryyouth.org

Huckleberry Wellness Academy - Marin launched in Sept. 2008 with the help of a two-year grant of $306,000 from The California Endowment. The Marin Academy will primarily serve Latino youth from San Rafael High School. The model will be strengthened through new and established partnerships and our collaboration includes the San Rafael City Schools, Marin Education Fund, and Marin County School to Career Partnership.  For more information on the Wellness Academy - Marin, please contact Lissette Flores, Director, Huckleberry Wellness Academy - Marin at 415.258.4944 or at lflores@huckleberryyouth.org