My Community is Why

Meet Minnesota's new Youth Market Administrative Associate, Courtney Bade

What brought you to be an advocate for the American Heart Association?

I've known for a while that, in order to be satisfied with my work, I need to be at an organization that contributes to the local and global community in some way or another. The American Heart Association's commitment to research, and to community health education and advocacy was therefore very attractive to me as someone looking to break into the non-profit world.

What issues or policies are you most passionate about and why?

Though everything the American Heart Association does is vital to our mission, I think one of the most important things we do is spread awareness and disseminate information about healthy living as a preventative measure to potential future health issues. I think this is especially important for children in the United States who otherwise may not receive adequate health or physical education as we increasingly see these subject areas omitted from public education budgets. If you learn to take of your body at a young age, those habits will follow you through you whole life.

What is your favorite advocacy memory or experience so far and what made it great?

I've only been working with AHA in Youth Market for a couple of months now, but I'm very excited for the school year to start so I can go see the events we do at elementary and middle schools!

What is your favorite way to be active?

I love doing yoga and going on long walks!

What is your favorite fruit or vegetable?

I eat a primarily vegetable-based diet so I have a TON of favorites, but today I'm feeling beets!