Local Partners Continue Efforts to Prevent Youth Vaping and Tobacco Use   Alleghany Highlands, VA (june 24, 2026) – Beginning with the 2024–2025 school year and continuing through June 2027, the Alleghany Highlands YMCA Healthy Highlands Program is partnering with Alleghany Highlands Public Schools and the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board (AHCSB) on a three-year initiative to prevent and reduce youth tobacco, nicotine, and vaping product use. The effort is funded by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY). In the second year of the grant, students at Jackson River Technical Center (JRTC) played an active role in developing prevention messaging for their peers and the community. Under the direction of marketing instructor Jodi Burgess, the Fall Marketing Class created two vaping prevention coloring books that have been used in the Alleghany Highlands YMCA Early Learning Centers and distributed throughout the community. Building on that success, the Spring JRTC Marketing Class produced two public service announcement videos designed for use on social media and other public platforms to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping and nicotine use. Students in the Fall AHS Art Class, taught by Ms. Brooks, also contributed to the initiative by creating several anti-vaping posters for display at Alleghany High School and for use in social media campaigns. In addition to student-led projects, the AHYMCA Healthy Highlands Program and the Alleghany Highlands Healthy Youth Coalition, an outreach of the AHCSB, have provided educational programs for students at JRTC and Alleghany High School. Presentations address the harmful effects of vaping and nicotine use, the physiology of addiction, marketing tactics used to attract young consumers, and coping skills that support mental health and reduce the risk of substance use. “Education is the first step in prevention,” said Dr. Sandra McHenry, AHYMCA Healthy Highlands Program Leader. “Many young people are unaware of the lasting impact their choices can have on their health and future. By providing accurate information and meaningful education, we empower them to make informed decisions.” During the upcoming school year, Ms. Burgess’s JRTC Marketing Class will continue developing youth-focused vaping prevention projects. The Alleghany Highlands Healthy Youth Coalition and the AHYMCA Healthy Highlands Program will also continue providing educational presentations at JRTC and Alleghany High School and will expand their efforts to include Covington Middle School. “We are grateful for VFHY’s investment in our community and its commitment to empowering youth across the Alleghany Highlands,” said April Miller, Prevention Coordinator for the Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board and Chair of the Alleghany Highlands Healthy Youth Coalition. “Through our partnership with Alleghany Highlands Public Schools, we are helping young people build the knowledge and skills they need to avoid tobacco and nicotine products and make choices that contribute to lifelong health and success.” The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth empowers youth across the Commonwealth to make healthy choices by funding initiatives that reduce and prevent tobacco use, substance abuse, and childhood obesity. Since 1993 the Alleghany Highlands YMCA has served as a non-profit organization committed to providing youth and family programming, unique membership services, and early learning childcare. The YMCA is a charitable organization dedicated to making our community a healthier place to live. Since opening our doors, our focus has remained the same: to connect people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gap in community needs. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. Learn more at www.alleghanyhighlandsymca.org

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