Isaiah Santiago

Isaiah Santiago is 19 years old and a sophomore at St. John Fisher University studying political  science and psychology. Isaiah has advocated for youth in New York State for the past four  years, fighting youth gun violence and the stigma against mental health. Isaiah founded the We  Got This organization, an organization working to end gun violence by allowing youth to get  involved in arts and music. At 16 years old, he started a free after-school program for at-risk  youth to experience the process of creating and recording music. The youth got to develop  their track and learn the process of sound engineering and studio recording. But most  importantly, the organization provided an avenue for youth to get off the streets, featuring  Isaiah's youth-to-youth mentorship. Isaiah also created the mental health literacy curriculum to  enter the Rochester City School District after seeing the rise in drug overdose and youth  violence. He noticed that the lack of mental health services in his community is one of the root  causes of many issues. He currently sits on the board of directors of families together NYS and  Delphi Rise as a board member. In the past years, Isaiah has been traveling around New York  State, speaking to systems of governments about how to better cater to the younger  generation. While also empowering many young people through keynoting at youth summits,  conferences, and schools. One of his most recent engagements was at the Governors Youth  Mental Health Summit where he spoke on a panel with Doctors and Executives. Isaiah has  worked closely with senators, council members, and county legislators to help bring young  people to the table to create innovative legislation and policies. Through his work, he has been  awarded the New York State commendation award, The Monroe County youth of the year  award, The youth leader award from both The NYS office of mental health and NAMI, he also  recited the Triple C award from the attorney general's office. Isaiah is currently the youngest  candidate for the Rochester City School Board and, if elected, the youngest to ever fill the role.  He has won the primary election and is on the path to win the general election. Isaiah Santiago  is 19 years old and a sophomore at St. John Fisher University studying political science and  psychology. Isaiah has advocated for youth in New York State for the past four years, fighting  youth gun violence and the stigma against mental health. Isaiah founded the We Got This  organization, an organization working to end gun violence by allowing youth to get involved in  arts and music. At 16 years old, he started a free after-school program for at-risk youth to 

experience the process of creating and recording music. The youth got to develop their track  and learn the process of sound engineering and studio recording. But most importantly, the  organization provided an avenue for youth to get off the streets, featuring Isaiah's youth-to youth mentorship. Isaiah also created the mental health literacy curriculum to enter the  Rochester City School District after seeing the rise in drug overdose and youth violence. He  noticed that the lack of mental health services in his community is one of the root causes of  many issues. He currently sits on the board of directors of families together NYS and Delphi Rise  as a board member. In the past years, Isaiah has been traveling around New York State,  speaking to systems of governments about how to better cater to the younger generation.  While also empowering many young people through keynoting at youth summits, conferences,  and schools. One of his most recent engagements was at the Governor's Youth Mental Health  Summit where he spoke on a panel with Doctors and Executives. Isaiah has worked closely with  senators, council members, and county legislators to help bring young people to the table to  create innovative legislation and policies. Through his work, he has been awarded the New York  State commendation award, The Monroe County youth of the year award, The youth leader  award from both The NYS office of mental health and NAMI, he also recited the Triple C award  from the attorney general's office. Isaiah is currently the youngest candidate for the Rochester  City School Board and, if elected, the youngest to ever fill the role. He has won the primary  election and is on the path to win the general election.