Cuyahoga Falls High School welcomed students and educators from across the region to the Cuyahoga Falls 6–12 Campus on September 22 for the 2026 Youth Hope Initiative, a morning dedicated to student mental health, wellness, and hope. This event was created by the Alliance for Healthy Youth to support youth in Summit County.
The event brought together students from Cuyahoga Falls, Copley, Revere, Green, Springfield, Nordonia, Woodridge, Akron, and Stow-Munroe Falls for programming designed to empower young people, affirm their value and prioritize their health, wellness, and future.
A highlight of the event was a fireside chat with former Cleveland Cavaliers player Kevin Love, who shared his personal experiences with mental health and spoke with students about the importance of seeking support, building resilience, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health conversations.
Love, a five-time NBA All-Star and NBA Champion, has become a nationally recognized mental health advocate. Through the Kevin Love Fund, he has worked to normalize conversations surrounding mental health and provide young people with tools and resources to support their emotional well-being.
The Youth Hope Initiative also featured student and youth speakers, school representatives, and community organizations committed to supporting young people. The program included representatives from Akron Children’s Hospital, Child Guidance & Family Solutions, Coleman Health Services, Greenleaf Family Center, Minority Behavioral Health Group, OhioGuidestone, Red Oak Behavioral Health, Shelter Care and Portage Path Behavioral Health, among others.
Hosting the regional event provided Cuyahoga Falls High School students with an opportunity to join their peers from neighboring school districts in an important conversation about mental health and the role young people can play in creating supportive school communities.
“Events like the Youth Hope Initiative reinforce an important message for our students: they are not alone,” said Cuyahoga Falls City School District Superintendent Dr. Andrea Celico. “When we give young people opportunities to talk openly about mental health, connect with one another, and hear from people willing to share their own experiences, we help create a culture where asking for help is a sign of strength. We were honored to welcome students from across the region to Cuyahoga Falls for this important conversation.”