Despite advances in technology and informational access, young people today are still facing stresses of life that they may not be able to deal with, or possibly even fully understand. Phones have become a wealth of information and an overload of stimulation.
While the world around them may have improved in many ways, navigating that world and avoiding its pitfalls can be as difficult as ever. After diving into some of those issues and looking for ways to help, local student Niharika “Niha” Goel has taken a big step forward and has spearheaded the organization of a youth services event called Thrive: Youth Wellness Fair 2026.
The idea is to bring together organizations that can help students and young people deal with anything, whether it be substance abuse, depression, school pressure or mental health and wellness. If a young person is struggling with it, Niha is hoping to have someone there to help them.
“I think the biggest part of this is making sure that students have whatever resources they need,” Niha said.
While that is the lofty goal of this inaugural event, it is also the overall hope moving forward. Niha said there are a lot of organizations in and around the Orange County area, but young people may not even know where to look for them. Niha is taking the training and education she received with CADCA (originally Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) and HOSA (originally Health Occupations Students of America) and putting it to work in her own community.
She grew up in Rossmoor and attended Weaver Elementary and Oak Middle Schools. She is currently a sophomore at Oxford Academy in Cypress. She volunteers at Weaver and is also the Secretary of the Seal Beach Leos Club. Her connection to other students has helped her recruit a large group of student volunteers to run the Wellness Fair.
Niha has said that her experience leads her to believe that a message to a young person, delivered by a peer can be more effective than a message delivered by an adult or organization.
“The most credible prevention staff are already in Los Alamitos, the students,” she said to the LAUSD Board during a recent meeting.
The Wellness Fair is set up for 30 booths, most of which had already been reserved, as of the start of October. The fair will be set up with zones that include: substance-use prevention, mental health and wellness, youth leadership and community partnerships. Students will also be able to get various health and wellness screenings, and engage in demonstrations and activities.
The scope of the fair was a bit lofty, but Niha persisted. She reached out to the Seal Beach Lions Club, spoke at school board meetings and to city councils. Her father Rahul Goel said she was able to build some credibility, despite her young age. He also noted that when she partnered with Project Eli founder Perla Mendoza, that opened a lot of doors.
“I think having Perla’s support was instrumental, you know, through the Seal Beach Council that’s important and very valuable … and I think the agencies and organizations she’s reached out to are very intrigued,” Niha’s father Rahul said.
Along with the support booths, the event will have some live music, prizes and some food vendors. Attendees will receive a passport card to collect stamps from booths. The stamped cards will be used towards a prize drawing. The fair is free to attend.
It is being run under the umbrella of a non-profit that Niha started, called the Resilient Stars Foundation. For more information on the event, or the non-profit, visit resilientstars.org.