About IWAY2

Improving the Wellness of All Youth 2 (IWAY2) was a 4-year project (2022-2026) funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and headed by principal investigator Dr. Tooru Nemoto. IWAY2 is operated under Health Intervention Projects for Underserved Populations (HIPUP), a program at the Public Health Institute. Our target population was all youth ages 12 to 18 living in Alameda county. We centered our care to meet the youth where they were at physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to provide programs and services.

IWAY2’s goal:

• Increase access to trauma-informed mental health services

• Create and provide a safe space for youths to express and explore their mental health and identity

Our programs/services we offered were:

• Free one-on-one counseling

• Youth empowerment programs

• Presenting health and mental well-being workshops at schools in Alameda County

• Tabling at school health events, and other local health events

• Collaborations with other local community-based organizations

• Youth leadership opportunities (Advocacy Internship, CAB)