ReachOut Youth Council
The ReachOut Youth Council is a small but powerful group of teens and young adults who devote at least 10 hours per month to helping promote, develop content and speak publicly about ReachOut.com. Council members help ensure that the website’s information and design is relevant to teens and young adults. Council members also work on outreach projects that help promote ReachOut both online and off. They work closely with the ReachOut program staff.
2013 ReachOut Youth Council Members
Born and raised in New York City, Amy has a passion for traveling all over the world, but she finds herself rather attached to her home city (if for nothing else than the pizza and bagels). After graduating with a degree in psychology from Boston University in 2009, she decided to experience living in another culture. She lived in a small town in Spain and taught English to middle and high school students for the past year. It was there that she realized she wanted to make a career out of helping and educating young people. She began working as an editor for Inspire USA in 2008, and can’t wait for young people across the country to find their place in the ReachOut! community.
Hey there, my name is Brandon. I am 19 years old and am currently a first year undergrad student at Roosevelt University. Living in heart of Chicago, I am pursuing two degrees: Sociology and Business. When I graduated I want to follow my passion by working in the nonprofit industry; specifically in the area of suicide prevention and mental health awareness. When I am not occupied with my school work, I can be found the city or hanging out with my friends. My current obsessions include Doctor Who, One Direction, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This is my third year with Inspire and I look forward to continuing to help those who are going through struggles just like I have, and helping them realize: I’ve been there. I’ve made it through. And I am now stronger than I ever thought I was before.
Hi, I am Caden. I’m 18 and I am from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. I am a senior in high school and plan on attending Stetson University this upcoming fall to major in sports management. I am a transgender man and spend much of my time advocating and working to improve the lives of LGBT individuals. Besides my passion for LGBT equality, I am a basketball player and can be found either playing or watching basketball. Other interests I have include my love for politics and debating, which in the end ties back into being an LGBT activist. I’ve been through many struggles in life regarding my gender identity, but I am here to use my struggles so that others do not have to experience what I have gone through. My life motto is if I can save just one person from harming themselves, if I can help just one person, then I have done my job.
My name is Candace but everyone calls me Can! I was born and raised in the beautiful New York City. I am currently a freshman at Nassau Community College. I am majoring in fashion design and hope to someday work with high-end couture designers. I was born biracial and into a large blended family. Immediately, I struggled to find my place in my home and within my family. Growing up in an urban neighborhood in Queens only made me question my existence and place in society. I have experienced my ups and downs in life and have come full circle in personal acceptance. After overcoming all my issues, I am now an active mentor at a local elementary school. I am bubbly, carefree, and love to make people laugh.
My name is Catherine, and I co-founded myYearbook.com with my brother Dave in 2005. The company merged with the Quepasa Corporation in November 2011 and in June 2012 rebranded to MeetMe, Inc. I am responsible for creating some of the most important applications on Meetme and help drive the company’s growth by conceiving of the next popular features. Since I graduated from Georgetown in 2011 as an OPIM and marketing major and psychology minor, I have been at MeetMe’s headquarters in New Hope, PA. I like to write and am especially interested in ReachOut’s efforts to create awareness about youth mental health. As an avid runner (and beginner triathlete), I am also passionate about initiatives focused on maintaining good health ranging from stress relief to nutrition!
Hey guys, my name is Chloe. I’m originally from New York but I currently live in Rhode Island and am in my junior year at the University of Rhode Island. I’m a Psychology major with plans to continue on get my masters in Clinical Psychology. When I’m not studying, I am singing. I’ve been performing almost all of my life and I am currently in my school’s a capella group, Vocalmotion. In my spare time, you can find me hanging out with my friends, singing, reading, and just having fun! I love working with the Youth Council and it is my pleasure to be able to reach out to others! 
My name is Deondra, I am a senior studying Social Work and Nonprofit Organizational Leadership (graduating super soon woot woot!) at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Working with youth is my passion, and I have worked with youth in nonprofits for seven years now. When I find spare time, I enjoy cooking, working out and shopping. In a perfect world, I would spend every awakening moment on the beach. I am very excited to join the ReachOut team and contribute to the innovative ways to meet youth at their levels!
Hi my name is Jessica. I was born and raised in Southern California and currently live in the LA area. I recently graduated from the College of William & Mary in Virginia with a degree in Political Science and History. I am currently employed at an environmental consulting non-profit organization and am extremely dedicated to social causes as well as ecological ones. In my spare time I love to read, cook (or at least try), attempt crossword puzzles, spend time with my siblings, eat copious amounts of peanut butter, watch obscure foreign films and experience new foods, places and cultures. I joined the ReachOut Council because it allows me the opportunity to help teens and young adults. I believe ReachOut.com is a powerful resource for young people, providing a network of understanding and supportive peers who are able to give comfort and relief.
Hello, my name is Lauren! I just graduated high school and will attend Chapman University in the fall, where I will major in Film production. I have been making films for a few years and have found a passion in making documentaries about important social issues. I think it is important to shed light on issues so that teen audiences can know that they are not alone and that there are ways to overcome challenges they may face in their life. Because I once struggled with depression, I feel a personal connection with ReachOut’s goal and cant wait to help out as a Youth Council member.
My name is Lauren and I am from Logan, Utah. I am currently a freshman at Brigham Young University, where I am loving my studies in exercise science and athletic training! I love to run, and I enjoy volunteering with my high school track team where I can impact other young athletes and spend time working and learning with some great friends. I also enjoy volunteering with various non-profit organizations in my community, and I am always looking for opportunities to serve. I believe ReachOut is a great resource for young people of all backgrounds, and I absolutely love being a part of it!
My name is Martin and I was born in Kentucky, but I have lived in North Carolina, California, Hawaii, and now Oregon. I am 22. My passion to help others comes from a hard up-bringing. I was eleven when I became homeless, and I spent nine months on the streets. Those nine months will always be with me. After I got adopted into a very supportive family, I got to know the mental health care system a little bit closer then I would have liked. It’s also worth mentioning that I am in love with technology. Twitter? Covered. Facebook? You know it! Google Wave? Fo’ Sho!
My name is Meredith, and I was born in Kansas City, Missouri. I spent my childhood in Sacramento, CA and KC. I graduated from the University of San Diego a year and a half early and have since worked in marketing for the music and entertainment industries in both NYC and KC. I co-own a photography and event planning company, DoubleTake Productions, with my twin sister. I am a freelance writer and love to jot my thoughts down in my blog, There’s So Much to Smile About. Ultimately, I’d love to continue working in the music industry, write a best-selling book, and open a production studio. I love singing, cooking, and contributing to ReachOut, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store!
Meredith is a singer/songwriter from New York. Growing up, she participated in professional and local performances and loved being on stage. Meredith experienced bullying and harassment as a teen, her catchy upbeat pop style songs seek to inspire teens to be brave, and stand up for those who have been left out of the social hierarchy. She has been a member of “It gets better” since 2010, and joined ReachOut in 2012. She is also taking on a major role in a movie about bullying coming out next halloween Meredith hopes to inspire kids and teens like her.
Hello my name is Nicholas! I was born and raised in Chico California. I am currently attending Butte Community College until I save up enough money to pursue my dreams & attend Culinary School or Recording Arts School. I am a very fun & outgoing person. I’ve been through a lot of experiences, and I’ve learned from every single one of them. I’ve learned to look at the positive side of things rather than dwell on the negative. I am a very up front and personal kind of guy. I love music and arts of all sorts! In my free time I love hanging out with friends, writing music/recording music, and going out on the town! I strongly promote self-expression in all forms; I don’t think anyone should have to be a certain way just to fit in. Be yourself and love yourself for who you are. Growing up through the years wasn’t very easy for me & I took a lot of wrong turns along with wrong decisions. Thankfully I’ve had people to support me along the way, which is where I get my passion to help others.
Hey everyone, my name is Rasika. I’m 23 years old, I grew up in Albuquerque, NM, and no matter where I go, I will always be a Southwest girl at heart. I’m a student at UC Berkeley doing my Master’s in Public Health in maternal and child health. My interests are many, and they include mental health promotion in children and young adults, nutrition, and women’s rights. When I’m not out trying to save the world, I love to read (huge Harry Potter fan!), dance, bake, cook, eat amazing food, watch movies, and listen to music. I am also a self-declared shopaholic…but we all have our vices, right? I got involved with ReachOut as a summer internship, and now, here I am as part of the Youth Council–goes to show the organization and people are so amazing that I just can’t stay away! I’m excited to continue working with ReachOut to meet youth needs and to contribute to an organization that truly embodies the motto of ‘for the youth, by the youth.’
I’m Wilfredo. I am a 20 year old Puerto Rican male and am studying Child Development and Social Welfare Policy at University of Connecticut where I plan to get my Bachelors by May 2011. I grew up in Bridgeport, CT experiencing poverty, domestic violence, an absent and substance abusing father, and a mother coping with her own physical/mental health issues. I love my mother dearly, but at 15, it became too much for me so I called the Department of Social Services. I then became a foster youth. What I do in my spare time is live for the experience! I love to travel and fly. I have a light and fun personality (“Laughing is food for the soul,” so they say). I read for knowledge and I am a motivational speaker. I like to make amateur videos, blog, go-karting, Ju-Jut-Su, making music, and writing poetry to name a few.
Hey there! I’m Zach, and I’m a 20 year old third year Biology major at The University of Texas at Austin. I was born in 
Wichita Falls, TX but have lived in either Plano or Austin, TX for the past 13 years. I have a passionate love for all sports and music, and almost all of my free time is devoted to one of those two interests. I was diagnosed with clinical depression when I was seven years old, and since I can remember I’ve been trying to help others who struggle with mental health issues of all kinds. I’m laid back, but I like to work hard and play harder. I’m an open and honest guy and I try to surround myself with like minded people. I found ReachOut in early 2011 and have loved every second of my time here!
