The Youth Advisory Board
Launched in August 2024, the Youth Advisory Board was created as part of the Never a Bother campaign — a movement dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health and ensuring no young person feels alone or unsupported. The Board began with six passionate and insightful youth members, each committed to making a difference in their communities.
The main goal of the Youth Advisory Board is to engage and empower young people to learn about mental health, recognize warning signs in themselves and others, and foster a culture where seeking help is seen as a strength. Through open dialogue, peer support, and creative expression, the Board has been instrumental in bringing youth-driven perspectives to the forefront of mental health advocacy.
Yahir Barragan
I am very hardworking and a motivated high-schooler that gives 100% in everything I do. I enjoy helping the community and making a change for everyone in a positive way. Whether it’s in school, work, or daily life, I always try to stay positive and motivate the people around me.
Ana Sofia Medina
Recently graduated from Piner High School, I have been working as a Youth Adviser, finding ways to help my community. I plan to attend a four-year university in the fall to pursue psychology, and eventually obtain a career where I can continue to provide resources to my community.
Emilio Oseguera-Ortiz
Recent Maria Carillo freshman, Emilio enjoys volunteering with Humanidad and his neighborhood improvement group South Park Coalition. He loves taking cooking classes and learning dishes from family members. His favorite recipes are from the middle east and Mediterranean.
Miranda Ruiz
I am a Piner high alumni. I have spent these past couple of years doing advocacy work for mental health, school and environmental issues. I have really enjoyed being able to assist and help out my community through implementing culturally responsive care strategies, which can be shown through my work as a youth advisory board member!
Sergio Barragan
I love to help people and make friends. I love to come to Humanidad because I get to learn about new things (and also the food!) but I also made new friends and it was fun.
Loyalty Andrade
I am 17 years old and I just graduated from high school and I am going to major in tribal law.
Key Project
One of the Board’s most powerful accomplishments was the creation of a sculpture symbolizing hope and emotional resilience. Designed and developed by the youth themselves, the sculpture reflects the highs and lows of emotional experience — and stands as a reminder that no one is ever truly alone in what they’re feeling. It serves as both a physical and emotional landmark in the campaign’s mission to support youth mental health.
The Youth Advisory Board continues to shape conversations around mental well-being by encouraging education, empathy, and peer-led leadership. Their voices are not only being heard — they’re helping lead the way forward.
Symbolism of the sculpture:
Sergio worked on the cape which represents strength and resilience
Collaborating Artist
Kristina Lucas Hayden
I am a 5th generation native Californian, an artist, a sculptor, and a teacher, living in Santa Rosa since 1991. I have raised five grown children, and have been married to and worked with my husband, Light Sculptor, Michael Hayden for 45 years.
It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the Youth Advisory Board at Humanidad, in achieving their sculpture project.
My teaching philosophy aims to empower people to express themselves visually. I believe that everyone has something to sat that isn’t easily stated with words. Art enables expression beyond spoken or written language. Utilizing a variety of materials and tools offers a unique experience to create a physical artistic statement. Art education enriches everyone’s ability to think and solve problems.
Specifically, sculpture requires expanding skills to include physical cognition. The steps of coming up with an idea, selecting materials, cutting and forming a shape, drilling and fastening, structuring and finishing a final artwork are all parts of a dynamic educational experience.
My credentials are BA, MA, and MFA degrees from UCLA and more than 50 years of experience working with people from pre-school aged to adults.
My suspended, site specific installations have been exhibited and commissioned throughout the US, and in Australia, Canada, and France.
Collaborating Youth Partners
Local Resources with Youth Programs
