
Who We Are
Engaging Youth Expertise (EYE) For Prevention is a coalition of passionate young leaders with diverse lived experiences (ages ranging from 14-25). We focus on mental/behavioral health and substance misuse prevention through a holistic, trauma-informed lens, as we advocate for justice and equity!
This campaign was visioned and built by youth who can relate to the struggle.
We collect and analyze data to better understand the needs and issues young people are facing in the community, to then come up with creative and powerful projects & initiatives to make a difference. We strive to authentically engage young people throughout Denver and Colorado as we uplift healing and liberation through various projects.
Meet the Team

AARIYAH

ANGEL

ARIANNA (ARI)

AXEL

BRIANN (BRI)

GALI

MEGAN

MIKAELA

NATE

SEDONA

SOPHIE

STELLA

YOEL

AARIYAH

ANGEL

Arianna (Ari)

AXEL

BRIANN (BRI)

GALI

MEGAN

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.

BRIANN (BRI)
Something about BRIANN (BRI)
Hello! I am Briann Rey Manchego-Rodarte, (Bri for short!) I am 25 years young, most of my achievements are from overcoming hard (sometimes world shattering) moments in life. BUT, that is why, I am a proud Youth leader fighting for social equity and justice. I love to have a strong voice, and I am most passionate about helping the youth find their voice and their strength in hard times. A fun fact about me, I love to dance like no one is watching (Mostly to ‘Missy Elliot’) ! 😉

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.

MEGAN
I am a 17 year old highschool student from Boulder, Colorado. I am passionate about community involvement and mental health advocacy. I am a part of student government, Colorado Youth Advisory Council, and other youth advocacy programs. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and friends. A fun fact about me is that I have two pet parakeets!

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!
I strive to embody a Healer and a Warrior. I am Sedona, the proud facilitator of EYE For Prevention! It is an honor to work alongside these passionate and inspiring young leaders. I have overcome adversity to pursue my passion in social & environmental justice, bringing forth healing and liberation by any means necessary. I am a Health Programs Specialist at the Public Health Institute at Denver Health. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Naropa University in 2021 in Environmental Science with minors in Peace Studies and Yoga. My daughter Yaretzi is my biggest motivation, working 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.

BRIANN (BRI)
Hello! I am Briann Rey Manchego-Rodarte, (Bri for short!) I am 25 years young, most of my achievements are from overcoming hard (sometimes world shattering) moments in life. BUT, that is why, I am a proud Youth leader fighting for social equity and justice. I love to have a strong voice, and I am most passionate about helping the youth find their voice and their strength in hard times. A fun fact about me, I love to dance like no one is watching (Mostly to ‘Missy Elliot’) ! 😉

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.

MEGAN
I am a 17 year old highschool student from Boulder, Colorado. I am passionate about community involvement and mental health advocacy. I am a part of student government, Colorado Youth Advisory Council, and other youth advocacy programs. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family and friends. A fun fact about me is that I have two pet parakeets!

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!
I strive to embody a Healer and a Warrior. I am Sedona, the proud facilitator of EYE For Prevention! It is an honor to work alongside these passionate and inspiring young leaders. I have overcome adversity to pursue my passion in social & environmental justice, bringing forth healing and liberation by any means necessary. I am a Health Programs Specialist at the Public Health Institute at Denver Health. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Naropa University in 2021 in Environmental Science with minors in Peace Studies and Yoga. My daughter Yaretzi is my biggest motivation, working 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 ReportÂ
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