NeuroYouth was founded in 2023 by Cornerstone student volunteers who recognized two urgent needs: the stigma surrounding mental health within immigrant communities and the lack of accessible neuroscience and mental health research opportunities for BIPOC youth.

Hosted by Cornerstone Medical Services Foundation, the program launched its first cohort in summer 2024, engaging students ages 14–18 in structured research projects focused on mental health and brain science. The inaugural class selected seven scholars from a competitive applicant pool and implemented community-centered projects ranging from multilingual mental health awareness campaigns to research internships and community service interventions.

NeuroYouth was featured in Northwest Asian Weekly in October 2024 in an article titled, “Local high schoolers create NeuroYouth to empower the next generation to focus on prioritizing mental health and brain research.” The article highlighted:

• Youth-led leadership structure
• Commitment to reducing stigma in immigrant families
• Access to research pathways typically unavailable to high school students
• Community-based impact model hosted within a free clinic

This media recognition positioned NeuroYouth as a model for youth-driven community health innovation and strengthened regional interest in the initiative.

Click Here for Media Link!