In conjunction with the DC Department of Health with support from the American Legacy Foundation,the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation (the Trust Corporation) has initiated the "W.A.Y. Too Cool To Smoke!" program. The three-year program is a youth-led tobacco education initiative that provides leadership skills, mentoring and technical assistance to youth as they spread the word on tobacco in their neighborhoods and across the city.

Each of the eight wards in the District has a Youth Team of ten young people, supported by a local Mentoring Agency (community-based organization). The Youth Teams send two representatives to serve on the Youth Board that oversees the activities of the teams. Each team is responsible for creating and implementing four neighborhood activities a year, and collaborating with the other teams on four city-wide media events annually.

The program includes outreach to targeted populations which are encouraged to join neighborhood teams as well as to create and implement activities designed to reach their specific constituents. DC is proud of our diversity, and "W.A.Y. Too Cool To Smoke!" is committed engaging all of our populations. Teens from different neighborhoods will work side by side, learning from each other while they educate the public on the dangers of tobacco use.

The Trust Corporation will provide support to the Youth Board and act as liaison to DC Department of Health, who will provide technical assistance to the Youth Teams and Youth Board.

Mentoring Agencies

• Multicultural Community Services (Ward 1)
• Cause Children Count (Ward 4)
• Marshall Heights Comm. Dev. Corp. (Ward 7)
• Friendship House (Ward 6)
• Beacon House (Ward 5)
• Lydia's House (Ward 8)