We know that these last few years haven’t been easy. We’ve collectively adapted to pandemic life, shifting our work to adapt to remote work, and dealing with the aftermath of the Dobbs decision and the overturning of Roe V. Wade.

While it’s been a rollercoaster of a year, we’ve seen pockets of joy, and we are grateful we have been able to push forward together to advance social change.

While it’s been a rollercoaster of a year, we’ve seen pockets of joy, and we are grateful we have been able to push forward together to advance social change.

We are a small but mighty staff of 17 (and soon to be growing our team), and like any smaller nonprofit, we count on the strengths of our staff to get the job done. That means that day-to-day, many of us wear many hats and work across many projects. It also means we get many opportunities to continue learning and growing.

Being able to gather together this year during our staff retreat and at our first in-person conference since pre-pandemic days rejuvenated us as a team and in our work. Throughout the year, we got to know each other more (hello, new staff!) and reunited with our long-term staff members who have been with us for over 10 years through team-building activities, working together on #HealthyTeen22, and even taking time to celebrate our work with some post-conference dancing!

And we’re passionate about what we do. We take it pretty seriously when we say that every young person has the right to live their authentic sexuality. We believe in our work, and in you, and we love what we do and Healthy Teen Network. Our experience and connectedness as a team is a significant strength for us, and it makes us even more ready and able to help you.

And we want to thank you—our members—who keep us energized and connected in this important work. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without our project partners, colleagues across organizations, and community supporters out in the field working with young people. Each and every one of you is crucial in this field and we’re grateful to be able to collaborate and uplift each other’s work.

At Healthy Teen Network, we know you do your best when you’re connected to great opportunities and resources—and with others working in sexual and reproductive health. We know the magic of this network, and it comes from you.