Who We Are
This campaign was visioned and built by youth who can relate to the struggle.
Engaging Youth Expertise (EYE) For Prevention is a team of passionate young leaders with lived experiences (between the ages of 13-24). We focus on substance misuse prevention and mental health/healing through a holistic, trauma-informed lens as we advocate for justice and liberation.
We are a YOUTH-LED group and strive to empower each other to be the change we want to see in our world. Together we cultivate healing spaces for connection through our meetings, events, and workshops. We plan and implement projects, programs, and presentations.
We are also youth researchers! We collect and analyze data through authentic youth engagement, ensuring representation of diverse voices, to then implement programs or advocate for change!
Meet the Team

AARIYAH

ANGEL

ARIANNA (ARI)

AXEL

CALYPSO

GALI

JANAE

MIKAELA

NATE

SEDONA

SOPHIE

STELLA

YOEL

AARIYAH

ANGEL

Arianna (Ari)

AXEL

CALYPSO

GALI

JANAE

MIKAELA

NATE

SEDONA

SOPHIE

STELLA

YOEL
ANGEL
Something about ANGEL
Hi! My name is Angel, and I am a Junior at DMLK Early College. I am an intern at Children’s Hospital, a debater in the Denver Urban Debate League, an active member in my school’s volunteer club, National Honors Society, and Young Americans Aspiring for Social and Political Activism. I am passionate about advocacy for low income communities, environmental injustice, food insecurity, homelessness, access to healthcare, and poverty. A fun fact about me is that I’ve been to over 11 schools!
ARIANNA (ARI)
Con amor revolucionario
I am a 22 year old proud Chicana from Denver, Colorado studying sociology at Aims Community College. I also participate in multiple groups and coalitions across the state dedicated towards creating social change. I am passionate about uniting and liberating my community and am eternally grateful for the opportunities to fight for justice, equity, inclusion, and of course, peace & love! A fun fact about me is that I love to write and hope to one day become a published author/poet.
CALYPSO
Something about CALYPSO
I am Calypso, I go to Mountain Vista High School and I am 14 years old. I am part of the Denver Youth Pride Coalition along with working for EYE for Prevention, and I love every second of it. This year I am trying to challenge myself with new ideas, people, and experiences in order to grow as a person.
NATE
Something about NATE
I am a 22 year old Cheyenne and Chicano man born and raised in North Denver. I am passionate about environmental and social justice. After completing 2 years at Fort Lewis College, having experienced my own challenges with addiction, and losing one of my best friends to an overdose, I started to become involved in drug prevention and other community efforts. I look forward to engaging youth voice in our future projects to come! A fun fact about me is that I have a traditional Cheyenne name that translates to Little Buffalo.
SOPHIE
Something about SOPHIE
As a person and an artist, Sophie Hernandez strongly believes in the power of creativity as a means of social justice, change, and hope for a better future. Her work mainly focuses on bringing forth the stories and lived experiences of the oppressed, and educating others on what it means to be an ally as well as to fight for a better world. Being a Mexican Indigenous woman living in the United States, these issues surrounding fundamental change ring home for her: she does not want to see future generations fight through what she had to fight through. She truly believes this work is her purpose and place in the art world.
JANAE
Something about JANAE
My name is Shaquana but I prefer to go by Janae, I’m 20 years old and graduated from 5280 High School in 2022. I care about making Denver a better place for my community. I have experience working in teams to accomplish projects and I enjoy working with others. Currently I’m a youth leader on the Engaging Youth Expertise ‘EYE’ team. In the future I hope to stop substance abuse and help young adults with mental health.
MIKAELA
Something about MIKAELA
I am a 17 year old high school student planning to attend CU Denver as a pre-medicine and public health student. I work for Denver Health as a youth leader focusing on mental health and substance use and with the Colorado Vaccine Equity Task Force advocating for equitable vaccine education and access in Colorado.
SEDONA
Si Se Puede!
Sedona is a healer and a warrior. She draws inspiration from her past experiences of adversity to fight for justice. Born and raised in Denver, Sedona is deeply connected to the local ecosystems and communities. Sedona is a Mother to her daughter Yaretzi. She graduated from Naropa University in May 2021 with her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with minors in Peace Studies and Yoga. She has over eight years of Public Health and community organizing experience where she uplifts authentic youth engagement and empowerment. Sedona is a sought after public speaker and poet who has planned and presented workshops for dozens of local and national conferences. Sedona is currently a Health Programs Specialist at the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, and facilitates EYE for Prevention. She is passionate about cultivating healing and liberating spaces for people to connect to each other, the Earth, and their own divine purpose. Sedona strives to help heal 7 generations back and 7 generations forward.
STELLA
My name is Stella and I’m a junior at Denver North High School. I’m a part of my school’s student board of education, Denver teen action counsel and other youth leadership groups. I’m passionate about creating an equitable and open community that encourages community involvement. A fun fact about me is my favorite animal is a turtle!
AARIYAH
Something about AARIYAH
Aariyah is a 20 year old Activist and Youth Philanthropist. She is a Colorado Native graduate of Eaglecrest High School Class of 21 alumni. She is passionate about amplifying the voices of the youth and those in her communities. Since graduating, she has engaged herself in many events around public health and equity.
Currently, Aariyah is a Youth Leader with EYE for Prevention and a Youth Voice Specialist with Youth Roots on their Youth Scan project. She enjoys working in spaces centered around healing, expression, and equal opportunities in the workplace; she has recently spoken at the 2022 Conference for Agricultural Worker Health and Youth Roots Power of Philanthropy Bash. Aariyah plans to continue to seek more opportunities in public speaking and continue her knowledge of equity work.
ANGEL
Hi! My name is Angel, and I am a Junior at DMLK Early College. I am an intern at Children’s Hospital, a debater in the Denver Urban Debate League, an active member in my school’s volunteer club, National Honors Society, and Young Americans Aspiring for Social and Political Activism. I am passionate about advocacy for low income communities, environmental injustice, food insecurity, homelessness, access to healthcare, and poverty. A fun fact about me is that I’ve been to over 11 schools!
ARIANNA (ARI)
Con amor revolucionario
I am a 22 year old proud Chicana from Denver, Colorado studying sociology at Aims Community College. I also participate in multiple groups and coalitions across the state dedicated towards creating social change. I am passionate about uniting and liberating my community and am eternally grateful for the opportunities to fight for justice, equity, inclusion, and of course, peace & love! A fun fact about me is that I love to write and hope to one day become a published author/poet.
CALYPSO
Something about CALYPSO
I am Calypso, I go to Mountain Vista High School and I am 14 years old. I am part of the Denver Youth Pride Coalition along with working for EYE for Prevention, and I love every second of it. This year I am trying to challenge myself with new ideas, people, and experiences in order to grow as a person.
NATE
Something about NATE
I am a 22 year old Cheyenne and Chicano man born and raised in North Denver. I am passionate about environmental and social justice. After competing 2 years at Fort Lewis College, having experienced my own challenges with addiction, and losing one of my best friends to an overdose, I started to become involved in drug prevention and other community efforts. I look forward to engaging youth voice in our future projects to come! A fun fact about me is that I have a traditional Cheyenne name that translates to Little Buffalo.
JANAE
Something about JANAE
My name is Shaquana but I prefer to go by Janae, I’m 20 years old and graduated from 5280 High School in 2022. I care about making Denver a better place for my community. I have experience working in teams to accomplish projects and I enjoy working with others. Currently I’m a youth leader on the Engaging Youth Expertise ‘EYE’ team. In the future I hope to stop substance abuse and help young adults with mental health.
MIKAELA
I am a 17 year old high school student planning to attend CU Denver as a pre-medicine and public health student. I work for Denver Health as a youth leader focusing on mental health and substance use and with the Colorado Vaccine Equity Task Force advocating for equitable vaccine education and access in Colorado.
SEDONA
Si Se Puede!
Sedona is a healer and a warrior. She draws inspiration from her past experiences of adversity to fight for justice. Born and raised in Denver, Sedona is deeply connected to the local ecosystems and communities. Sedona is a Mother to her daughter Yaretzi. She graduated from Naropa University in May 2021 with her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science with minors in Peace Studies and Yoga. She has over eight years of Public Health and community organizing experience where she uplifts authentic youth engagement and empowerment. Sedona is a sought after public speaker and poet who has planned and presented workshops for dozens of local and national conferences. Sedona is currently a Health Programs Specialist at the Public Health Institute at Denver Health, and facilitates EYE for Prevention. She is passionate about cultivating healing and liberating spaces for people to connect to each other, the Earth, and their own divine purpose. Sedona strives to help heal 7 generations back and 7 generations forward.
STELLA
My name is Stella and I’m a junior at Denver North High School. I’m a part of my school’s student board of education, Denver teen action counsel and other youth leadership groups. I’m passionate about creating an equitable and open community that encourages community involvement. A fun fact about me is my favorite animal is a turtle!
SOPHIE
Something about SOPHIE
As a person and an artist, Sophie Hernandez strongly believes in the power of creativity as a means of social justice, change, and hope for a better future. Her work mainly focuses on bringing forth the stories and lived experiences of the oppressed, and educating others on what it means to be an ally as well as to fight for a better world. Being a Mexican Indigenous woman living in the United States, these issues surrounding fundamental change ring home for her: she does not want to see future generations fight through what she had to fight through. She truly believes this work is her purpose and place in the art world.
Aariyah
Something about AARIYAH
Aariyah is a 20 year old Activist and Youth Philanthropist. She is a Colorado Native graduate of Eaglecrest High School Class of 21 alumni. She is passionate about amplifying the voices of the youth and those in her communities.
Since graduating, she has engaged herself in many events around public health and equity. Currently, Aariyah is a Youth Leader with EYE for Prevention and Youth Voice Specialist with Youth Roots on their Youth Scan project. She enjoys working in spaces centered around healing, expression, and equal opportunities in the workplace; she has recently spoken at the 2022 Conference for Agricultural Worker Health and Youth Roots Power of Philanthropy Bash. Aariyah plans to continue to seek more opportunities in public speaking and continue her knowledge of equity work.
Read our PhotoVoice Project Report
In 2022, the EYE For Prevention Youth Coalition invited young people to participate in our #EYEsurvive PhotoVoice Project. This project specifically looked at substance misuse and mental health by highlighting that the struggle is real but so is our STRENGTH!
Click here to see the report (PDF) and read about our findings and insights from this project.
Get in Touch
IMPORTANT: This form is for general campaign enquiries only.
Please don’t use this form if you or someone you know needs support or urgent help.
If you need urgent help, call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Or for 24/7 counseling support from Colorado Crisis Services, call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255.
Do you have ideas for our campaign, or want to get involved? Send us a message below, we would love to hear from you! You can also follow us or send us a message on Instagram: @EYEforprevention



