Highlighting Erika Snitzer’s Experience at the Rise Above Summit
We’re excited to share a recent blog post by Samaritan Center featuring Erika Snitzer, one of their counselors and a Rise Above Summit facilitator.
Exploring Personal Values and Mental Health
In her role at the 2024 Rise Above Summit, Erika led impactful discussions on personal values and their role in mental wellness. Erika, a Master’s-level counseling student in her final year at Adler University, brought a unique perspective to the Summit. With her background and passion for community mental health, she worked closely with the students, guiding them to:
- Explore how their values influence decision-making and relationships
- Discover meaningful directions for education and career choices
- Learn about alternative and complementary mental health treatments
Erika’s thoughtful facilitation aligned beautifully with the goals of Rise Above—providing young people with the tools to navigate life’s challenges while creating spaces to reflect, grow, and express themselves.
She noted, “One of our roles as counselors is a commitment to provide services for our community’s psychological betterment. When I chose to pursue my degree in mental health counseling, I did so with a vision to increase and improve mental health education and services in the Lancaster community.”
Why Rise Above Matters
Erika’s reflections underscore why programs like Rise Above are so vital. Mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent among Lancaster County’s youth. The 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey reports that:
- 35.5% of students feel worthless
- 15.3% of students have considered suicide
Yet, fewer than half of those needing mental health care receive it. Rise Above steps into this gap, offering mentorship, creative expression, and education on mental wellness.
Expanding the Reach of Rise Above
Thanks to our dedicated community partners and a recent $35,000 grant from the Lancaster County Community Foundation, we’re excited to expand Rise Above to serve youth ages 12 to 26. Collaborating with organizations like the Samaritan Center, YWCA Lancaster, and Big Brothers Big Sisters, we’re growing the program to include:
- School-based workshops
- After-school clubs and summer intensives
- Community-based groups for young adults
Safe Space Coordinators, including professionals like Erika, will receive enhanced training in Youth Mental Health First Aid and trauma-informed care, ensuring they’re equipped to support students’ needs.
Building Lasting Connections
Programs like Rise Above are more than workshops—they’re about creating meaningful relationships. As Erika’s reflections highlight, mental health professionals have the unique opportunity to meet youth where they are, empowering them to embrace their journeys with resilience and creativity.
We’re deeply grateful for Erika’s contribution to Rise Above and for the ongoing partnership with the Samaritan Center. Together, we’re making a difference in the lives of Lancaster’s youth, building a community where mental wellness is accessible, celebrated, and supported.
Learn more about Rise Above and how you can get involved in 2025: https://touchstonefound.org/rise-above-2025/
