Addressing Youth Health and Wellness to Support A Stronger Future

Investing in youth is essential for building resilient, innovative communities and ensuring a prosperous future for the next generations.  

At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s 2024 Business Solves conference, a panel explored the impact of corporate citizenship initiatives aimed at empowering young people. Joseph Davis, director of communications at the U.S. Chamber Foundation, spoke with leaders about how their organizations are nurturing youth through programs that promote health, creativity, and career readiness. 

Advancing the STEM Field Starts With Preparing the Next Generation 

With rising demand for leaders in technical trades, DuPont works with schools, government, and local organizations like the Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education to reduce educational disparities among youth. By connecting students, especially those from underrepresented groups, with relatable STEM role models, they aim to show kids diverse career paths available to them.  

“Kids want to see people that look like them to be able to envision what they can do when they grow up, so we worked with [Discovery Education’s] STEM Careers Coalition to … tape the day in the life of an engineer,” said Patrick McCrummen, global social impact leader at DuPont. 

These efforts have led to increased recruitment in apprenticeships and stronger partnerships with the Delaware Workforce Development Board. 

GENYOUth Supports Physical Health and Nutritional Wellness Among Kids 

Food insecurity impacts 1 in 5 U.S. students, says Chelsey Antony, senior business counsel at the NFL Players Association and a board member of GENYOUth. To support the 30 million students relying on school meals, the National Football League (NFL) and America’s Dairy Farmers founded the nonprofit GENYOUth, which provides resources like grab-and-go nourishing meals to sustain students throughout the school day. 

“[Students are] more likely to learn better because they were able to eat a nutritious and healthy meal,” Antony explained. “They can become … engineers and do … STEM work if they're fed.” 

Beyond nutrition, physical activity among youth is declining, with only 1 in 4 children meeting daily exercise requirements. NFL programs like Flag In School aim to reverse this trend by providing flag kits that make staying active more enjoyable for students.  

Pinterest Is Working With Partners to Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis 

Increased use of digital devices has amplified youth mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, according to Richard Santoro, the VP of government affairs and social responsibility at Pinterest. Through collaborations with organizations like Youth Mental Health Corps and UNICEF, Pinterest has expanded mental health access in underserved communities and developed inclusive tools to address alienation.  

“[Our] new tools … allow you to have settings to search by skin tone, ... hair pattern, and body type … to better the experience, help it feel more connected and more positive, and address some of those contributors to mental health such as loneliness,” Santoro said.