It has been a monumental year for Grassroots Health. This year, we proudly served more than 1,550 students with evidence-based health education programming—but our achievements go far beyond the numbers. Grassroots Health has continued to thrive as a safe, inclusive space where youth, athletes, staff, and community members collaborate to advance health equity and create a new generation of leaders.
- Farewell to Our Founder: This year, we said goodbye to our founder,
Tyler Spencer
, as he embarked on new career ambitions. His vision and dedication will forever be a cornerstone of Grassroots Health.
- A National Stage: We presented to hundreds as a Healthy People 2030 Champion, showcasing our work and sharing our innovative approach to health education. Thank you for the generous award and for recognizing our work
Qlarant
!
- From Volunteer to NFL Star: A former Grassroots Health volunteer and site coordinator,
Ian Wheeler
, made headlines by joining the Chicago Bears, proving that leadership cultivated here knows no bounds.
- First Cohort Milestone: Our first three-year cohort of middle school students to complete all three health education curricula graduated high school and began their post-secondary journeys.
- Giving Tuesday & Back-2-School Fundraising Successes: Thanks to your generosity, we raised a record-breaking $38,000 from individual donors during these two campaigns, a testament to the power of grassroots-level support.
- Empowered Volunteers: We saw the growth of new athlete volunteers and celebrated the progression of many into paid site coordinator roles, exemplifying the leadership pipeline we’ve worked hard to build.
- A Data-Driven Future: With the addition of our first full-time evaluation specialist and the completion of a four-year impact evaluation, we have stronger evidence than ever of the positive influence our programs have on the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of young people.
None of this would have been possible without the support of the GRH community. Your belief in our mission allows us to create lasting change and build a healthier, empowered future for the youth we serve.
The new year holds exciting opportunities for Grassroots Health. Highlights include:
- Expanding Our Reach: We plan to engage even more students and families, building on this year’s momentum.
- Partying with Purpose: Save the date! Our Gala is on Saturday, April 5th, 2025. We have a renewed vision to ‘party with purpose’ and look forward to reuniting our extended Grassroots Health family.
- Sustaining Our Vision: As always, we remain committed to changing the culture of health education and tackling challenges with empathy, inclusion, and innovation.
We cannot wait to kick off the year, and are so excited for you to be along for the ride!
Happy New Year from Grassroots Health.
