Youth Advisory Council
Youth Advisory Council
What we do & why we do it
What is the Youth Advisory Council? We are so glad you asked! Pine Rest is developing a youth-led council, including collaborating with the youth coordinator and executive leaders, co-facilitating council meetings, and assisting in developing and fostering relationships with community partners.
The goal of Pine Rest’s YAC is to provide feedback on behavioral health to inform clinical programming, brainstorm effective solutions to improve behavioral health access, participate in quality improvement projects that impact patient outcomes, and provide education to members of the community, including their peers.
The YAC members will determine the best leadership structure, and if appropriate, hold elections to fill leadership roles. During the implementation phase of the YAC, members will create a council charter, a mission statement, develop ground rules, determine the council’s goals based on the needs of the youth in the community, and identify specific projects to achieve those goals.
How to participate
We want you! We are looking for students with a wide range of experience, perspective and drive who want to work with us to fight the stigma of mental health and assist Pine Rest to be an even better place filled with the youth’s perspective and voice!
This position is paid and requires a 4-hour commitment every month for meetings and projects, like a youth-led community event to provide education and help fight stigma. We would like the members of the YAC to drive projects based on what is interesting to the council members and in collaboration with feedback obtained in focus groups, and with organizational focus areas, such as improving access to care, improving health equity, and improving community education efforts.
Some project examples may include presenting to other students at schools, participating in research projects, and meeting with Pine Rest clinical leaders.
Council Leadership
Bell MacKenzie, Chair, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
My name is Bell MacKenzie, and I feel absolutely honored to serve as Chair of the Youth Advisory Council at Pine Rest. I am currently a Junior at GVSU pursuing a major in Nonprofit Management.
Partnering with Pine Rest made sense because I feel so passionately that there should never be a stigma associated with seeking support for a behavioral health issue. It’s not easy to be a young person, and I believe we should feel encouraged to embrace whatever resources can help us flourish.
At Grand Valley I am involved in making others feel welcome and excited about joining community. I am thankful to be able to give a little back through a leadership position this year.
In my free time, I love being outside, being artistically creative, spending time in and on the water, and creating memories with family and friends.
Jen Radtke, Co-facilitator, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
Hi, I’m Jen Radtke! I’m passionate about working with young people and making sure their voices are heard. As a co-facilitator for Pine Rest’s Youth Advisory Council, my goal is to create a space where youth feel supported, empowered and ready to make an impact.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Loyola University of Chicago and a Master’s degree in Human Development from the University of Chicago. I have spent years studying primate behavior at leading zoological institutions, such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, and have taught a variety of college courses in Anthropology and Sociology.
For the past four years, I have worked as a recruiter in the Human Resources Department at Pine Rest. I am so very grateful to be a part of such an amazing team and organization! I am also currently pursuing my MSW. Outside of this work, you can find me exploring new places in Michigan with my three children, traveling, or skimming through Anthropology journals.
I’m excited to be part of this journey and can’t wait to collaborate with such an inspiring group of young leaders!
Youth Council Members
Vanessa Bailey, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
My name is Vanessa Bailey, and I am a sophomore at Aquinas College. I enjoy playing lacrosse, hanging out with friends, going to concerts, and spending time in nature, especially hiking!
Mental health matters to me because I believe everyone has unique strengths and perspectives; mental health challenges are only suppressing them. By fostering inclusive environments where people feel comfortable discussing their struggles and seeking the assistance they need, we unlock the collective potential for true societal growth.”
Airiana Cantu-Larson, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
I’m Airiana Cantu-Larson, a sophomore at Catholic Central High School. In my free time I enjoy reading and baking sweet treats.
I believe mental health is important as it’s OK not to be OK. I also want everyone to know that reaching out for help is alright. In the end, it will all work itself out so keep going.
Sophie Edmondson, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
Hi! My name is Sophie, and I am a freshman at Caledonia High School. I love spending time with my animals, training my horses for shows and playing my cello. One of my favorite pastimes is reading outside in the summertime.
Mental health is extremely important to me because I believe that it is too stigmatized and villainized and that it needs to be more normalized and talked about.
Bethany Umar Emmanuel, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
“Hi, my name is Bethany, and I am a sophomore at Calvin University. I love being outside, trying new restaurants/coffee shops, and recently developed a hobby in pottery and pottery design.
Mental health is important to me because I believe it affects every other part of life. It is essential to seek help when needed, and it’s OK to not have everything figured out or go as planned–that’s just the unpredictable nature of life.
Arianna Gonzales, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
Hi my name is Arianna Gonzales. I am a Junior at Wyoming High School, I’m also in KCTC for the Health Career Foundation. I love going to fairs in fall time picking pumpkins and apples, drinking apple cider and eating donuts with my family and friends.
Mental health is important to me because it affects how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives. Taking care of our mental health can lead to improved moods, better relationships, and just in general a higher quality of life.
Syi Griffin, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
My name is Syi Griffin. I am a senior at Grand Valley State University majoring in Business. In my free time I enjoy physical activities, thrifting, playing with my dog, and being with friends and family.
Mental health is important to me because you’re continually growing into the best version of yourself. Prioritizing your best version transfers to how you impact those around you as well.
Grace Hosford, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
My name is Grace Hosford and I am a Senior at Rockford High School. I love spending time outside, being active. My favorite way to spend my time is reading somewhere with a great view.
Advocating for mental health is important to me because I want people to know they are not alone. Knowing that you are not alone can help you overcome hard obstacles and allow you to become the best version of yourself!
Gabe MacKenzie, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
I’m Gabe MacKenzie, a senior at Rockford High School. I love being outside, whether it’s hunting, fishing or snowboarding in the winter. Spending time in nature helps me clear my mind and enjoy the moment.
Mental health is important to me because everyone has tough times, and it’s OK to not be OK. Taking care of ourselves makes life better and helps us be there for the people we care about.
Averill Timmer, Pine Rest Youth Advisory Council
Hello! My name is Averill, and I am a junior at Rockford High School. I love to read, enjoy the sunshine, and be by the water.
Mental health is important to me because it directly impacts your ability to think, feel and act in everyday life. When your mental well-being is prioritized, you’re better equipped to handle stress, love your people, and be the best person you can be!
