Ohio Youth Champion Children’s Right to Health Through Caterpillar Club
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Young people in Ohio are taking action to support child health through Nationwide Children’s new Caterpillar Club. The program gives participants an opportunity to develop leadership skills while actively supporting pediatric care and research, advancing the rights of children to receive proper health services regardless of their family’s financial situation.
“The Caterpillar Club provides a meaningful way for youth to contribute to our mission of advancing pediatric care and innovation,” said Steve Testa, president of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Through fundraising activities and engagement, participants help ensure that every child has access to the care they need, supporting their right to health and well-being.”
The initiative focuses on children’s rights to health, equity, and participation. Members of the Caterpillar Club organize fundraisers, mobilize communities, and gain hands-on experience in supporting programs that benefit patients at Nationwide Children’s. Once a participant successfully completes a fundraising project, they are formally inducted into the club, becoming part of a growing network of young philanthropists committed to protecting and promoting child welfare.
By involving youth in these efforts, the program also reinforces the principle of children’s participation in matters affecting their peers. Young participants learn how to advocate for children’s needs, raise awareness about health challenges, and contribute to solutions that improve access to care and support the overall well-being of children in their communities.
Through the Caterpillar Club, Nationwide Children’s Hospital is fostering a new generation of socially conscious youth who understand the importance of child protection, health equity, and early intervention. By empowering young changemakers, the initiative strengthens the safety net for vulnerable children while cultivating leadership, compassion, and civic responsibility among participants.