Howell High School Hope Squad Named Youth Organization of the Year by Livingston County United Way

Hope Squad students are making a difference—and in Livingston County, Michigan, the community has taken notice.

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At the annual "Spirit of the Community" breakfast, hosted by Livingston County’s United Way, Howell High School’s Hope Squad was honored as the Youth Organization of the Year in recognition of its outstanding commitment to volunteerism and mental health advocacy.

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This honor is awarded to a youth organization that exemplifies outstanding service to their community, selflessness, and a deep sense of care for others. Under the leadership of Advisor Eric Schrock, the Howell Hope Squad has gone above and beyond in supporting their peers and making their community a safer, more connected place.

The Howell High School Hope Squad takes their role seriously, focusing not just on suicide prevention but also on community building within their school and beyond. Each year, the squad hosts a community-wide Daddy Daughter Dance—an event that brings together people from across the district for a night of fun and community connection. Events like these highlight how Hope Squad members are constantly creating opportunities for inclusion, celebration, and belonging.

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Hope Squad National Council Co-President Militza Algredo-Huerta, a student leader at Howell, shared her thoughts after the award was announced: “Receiving this award as a squad is a testimony to the impact that we have had in our community, and it has been an absolute privilege to be a part of that!”

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From peer-to-peer support and awareness campaigns to large-scale community events, the Howell High School Hope Squad helps demonstrate the impact committed squads can have on their schools and communities.  

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Congratulations, Howell High!