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The purpose of the Youth Leadership Conference is to recruit students who are eager to gain leadership experience through volunteer initiatives tied to the improvement of health care in rural areas

Motivational and inspiring presentations on how a good leader in every community should be were learned by 80 students from Douglas, Somerton and San Luis, Arizona and the Cocopah Indian Tribe who attended the 2015 Youth Leadership Conference, sponsored by the Arizona Rural Health Association (AzRHA) in collaboration with the Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. (RCBH)/College of Health Career and WAHEC. 

With many opportunities to know from local and international leaders such as Dr. John Arnold, CEO and Founder of the Portable Practical Educational Preparation, Inc. (PPEP, Inc.), who talked about this year main theme “Courage to Speak”, the students, also interacted with Mr. Emma Asanye an education counselor from Nigeria PPEP Inc. programs.

“The sole fact of being alive is a big advantage because you can do anything you want”, said Mr. Asanye, “as long is a good and positive thing don’t let anything to stop you from do what you want, but always decide, analyze and act, and that will make you grow a good citizen for your community, and for your country”.

Dr. Arnold also motivated the attendees by remembering the wisdom of the legacy of Hispanic farmworkers rights activist Cesar Chavez, who was born in Yuma back in March 31, 1927, as he used to say “Si Se Puede!” (Yes we can!). “And we can continue this legacy by saying Si Se Puede, Si se Pudo and Si Se Podrá, (Yes we can, Yes we Could and Yes we will Always Can) because we have to keep in mind that we have in our hands the way to build a better future for our communities”, added Dr. Arnold.

After a warm welcome by Ms. Amanda Aguirre, President and CEO of the RCBH and 2015 President of the AzHRA, a Blessing was shared by Mr. Paul Soto, Cocopah Indian Tribe Elder.

All border Mayors from City of San Luis Gerardo Sanchez; City of Somerton Martin Porchas; and City of Douglas Daniel Ortega Jr., and the Cocopah Indian Tribe Chairwoman Sherry Cordova signed a joint declaration that was read by Mayor Sanchez at the beginning of the event.

Also the students were addressed by the City of San Luis Mayor Mr. Gerardo Sanchez and City of Somerton Mayor Mr. Martin Porchas:

“I am glad to attend these great efforts from Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. and all the participants because youngsters have to be encouraged to be leaders”, stated Mayor Sanchez.

“When you are young you have to be a voice of your concerns, and by that action you earn respect from your peers”, said Mayor Porchas.

At the conference there were many workshops such as Immigration Policies by Ms. Ramona Jean Corrales, Chicanos Por La Causa immigration expert; Healthy Behaviors by Mr. Alex Valenzuela, RCBH Social Work Director; Youth Mental Health and Dating Violence by Ms. Elizabeth Arredondo, WAHCE Program Coordinator.

The purpose of the Youth Leadership Conference is to recruit students who are eager to gain leadership experience through volunteer initiatives tied to the improvement of health care in rural areas.

The students also had Education and job opportunities available with representatives of Arizona State University (ASU), Northern Arizona University (NAU), Arizona Western College (AWC), University of Arizona (UofA), Cenpatico, University of Phoenix and the Yuma Sector Border Patrol and Regional Center for Border Health, Inc./College of Health Careers.

For more information about this event please contact Ms. Mariajose Almazan, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of the Regional Center for Border Health, Inc. by calling (928) 627-9222 or by e-mail at mrincon@rcfbh.org.