Our Mission
TeensConnect is a youth organization dedicated to empowering teenagers to reach their full potential. Our mission is to provide a safe and supportive environment where teens can connect with each other, learn new skills, and develop leadership qualities. We help teenagers build confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of community, so they can thrive in all areas of their lives. Join us today and become a part of a vibrant and dynamic community of young people!
Abby Werthmann
Founder & CEO
Abby Werthmann has been deeply passionate about advocacy and health policy since she was young. Her involvement in advocacy for the Epilepsy Foundation takes her to Washington, DC, where she meets with her U.S. elected officials to address critical policies for the epilepsy community. Through these interactions with government representatives, Abby has broadened her perspective and deepened her understanding of legislative processes. In her commitment to supporting individuals with epilepsy in educational settings, Abby collaborates at the state level to advocate for the passage of essential legislation. Apart from her national engagements, Abby also actively participates in local politics as the Student School Board Representative, ensuring that student voices are heard at the board level. Additionally, she holds the position of President of the Civics Club at her high school, facilitating discussions on current political affairs and fostering comprehensive debates on multifaceted issues. After graduation, she will be attending Columbia University planning to major in political science and psychology. Beyond her involvement in advocacy and academics, Abby finds pleasure in reading memoirs, playing field hockey, and spending quality time with friends.
Hayes Bowman
Content Committee Member
Hayes Bowman has had a passion for advocacy since elementary school. Whether raising money to save manatees or writing persuasive letters to legislators, she learned early on that she could use her voice to promote change. As she’s gotten older, her advocacy has focused on women’s rights and mental health. Through public speaking, she has been able to grow these passions. For the past three years, she has been involved in speech and debate, honing her public speaking and critical thinking skills. Hayes has done this by competing in public forum debate and original oratory, where she gave an original speech on body image in teenage girls. She has also engaged in legislative advocacy, such as spending a week in DC advocating for policies surrounding human trafficking after researching the topic over the school year. During that time, she coordinated meetings with state representatives and lobbied for the cause. Hayes is involved in a wide variety of activities at school, ranging from theatre to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a club that raises money for pediatric oncology research. Outside of these activities, she enjoys playing guitar, baking cookies while watching cheesy romcoms, and hanging out with her friends.
Lilah Haynes
Content Committee Member
Audrey Liu
Outreach/Event Coordinator
Lilah Haynes has had a passion for bettering her community, learning, and connecting with the people around her since she was little. Lilah is the Vice President of her high school’s Key Club, a community service organization with over 60 members. Her involvement with this group of motivated students throughout high school has given her many opportunities to give back to her community. She has worked with this group to host Special Needs dances, beautify her local park, raise money to provide books for local elementary schools, and much more. Lilah is a member of the Distinguished Scholars Society of her school where she has researched homelessness in the Huntington area. She is currently working with her local United Way directors to develop Give Boxes to fill with supplies that would be essential for the homeless. While she loves working with her community, Lilah also spends her time focusing on academics, playing tennis, crocheting, and spending time with her friends and family.
Audrey Liu's passion for mental health advocacy sparked after going to boarding school; however, she has had a passion for contributing to her community's growth since she was little. Audrey is the vice president of her high school’s Dyes Saves Lives Club, a community service organization that creates custom merchandise to raise money for mental health awareness causes. Her club has worked with the local community to raise over 20,000 USD to donate to Mental Health America. She is also a member of her school's Wellness Council, whose mission is to ensure the well-being of the student body, organize outreach events, and provide all students with a voice. Currently, she sits on the MHA NJ4S Youth Sub-Committee, a committee dedicated to providing feedback on mental health programs for schools in the New Jersey area. Through these various activities, she has gained invaluable experience in leadership, community engagement, and advocacy, all while deepening her commitment to mental health awareness and supporting initiatives that make a meaningful difference in her community. Outside of these clubs and activities, Audrey also enjoys playing squash, dancing, baking, and spending time with her friends and family.