Twelve students from Bremen, Hillcrest and Tinley Park high schools participated in the Cook County Department of Public Health’s Community Health Worker High School Pipeline Program, a six-week paid summer internship introducing students to careers in public health.

During the program, students completed professional development, worked with local community health organizations and supported projects addressing health priorities across suburban Cook County.

Students also helped create “Ditch the Cloud: The Truth About Vaping,” a peer-to-peer video addressing the risks of vaping and nicotine addiction. The video challenges common misconceptions about vaping and explains how it can affect young people’s focus, memory, mood and physical health.

Before beginning their internships, students completed Community Health Worker core skills training through the Sinai Urban Health Institute. They were then placed with The Cook County Department of Public Health, Arab American Family Services, Family Christian Health Center or TCA Health, where they supported initiatives related to healthcare access, food access, disease prevention, disability justice and community outreach.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for using their voices to address an important issue affecting young people,” District 228 Career Readiness Coordinator Renee Mack said. “This experience allowed them to contribute to a meaningful public health campaign while gaining valuable skills and exploring careers dedicated to serving others.”

District 228 is proud of its students for contributing their voices to an important public health campaign while gaining valuable experience and exploring careers that serve their communities.

To watch the video, visit “Ditch the Cloud: The Truth About Vaping.” Additional information is available through Cook County’s Ditch the Cloud campaign.