Grassroots Connect

Grassroots Connect provides a space to celebrate the achievements of students completing TGP programs while also connecting students and their families to other community based health organizations and community health service providers. This ensures that students have access to youth-friendly health services after TGP programming is complete.

The name “Grassroots Connect” was officially coined in 2017, but was the result of many years of blowout TGP graduation ceremonies for students that are fondly remembered by TGP graduates, NCAA athletes, and local community members. Who doesn’t want to celebrate their achievements with a party?

Each event typically has about 150-250 students and athletes, and approximately 15 partner health organizations/providers across sexual health, nutrition, and mental health. Students are each issued a TGP “passport” and receive a stamp from each health provider they meet with. Students attend these Grassroots Connect events at the conclusions of each curricula of TGP. This means, students attend 3 events during their time in TGP, and by 8th-grade, we see students connect meaningfully with service providers. It is important to the TGP model to have consistent access for students to learn about youth-friendly health service providers.