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The Greatness Project youth who are currently/formerly in foster care and/or displaced will be attending the Nurtured Heart Approach Global Summit in New Jersey to showcase their success in advocating for a mental health class at their continuation school, Yosemite High School, which also integrates the Nurtured Heart Approach--a tool used to help foster intentional relationships with intense children, youth and adults. Not only have these youth helped start the mental health class, "Youth Mental Health, Wellness & Advocacy" and also an after-school program, but would like to start a nonprofit to help their peers with housing, transportation, job skills, and gaps in resources for youth in Merced County. I have full trust that with the help of supportive adults, they will make this happen. (If you don't have enough time to read the rest of our description, please visit the link here to listen to the NPR story featuring our Greatness Project youth). We have 10 days to make this happen. The reason being that our sponsor will not be able to sponsor us the full amount. We thank you in advance for your help and time.
Ms. V, who was brought on to Yosemite High School to help improve school climate, has helped amplify the youth voice. As a result of the students' affinity to Ms. V (and the Nurtured Heart Approach), they started an after-school club where they learn about the consulting business. The students have given trainings and presentations about looking at life through a positive lens and the importance of relationships. Audiences from the Le Grand Restorative Justice Summit, the Merced Co. Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Youth-2-Youth Conference, the Merced Union High School District Opportunity Youth Conference, University of California Merced Rural Justice Summit, and in many other spaces had the privilege of watching these young adults take charge of center stage. Youth are learning to harness their voices and to take ownership of the stories, so that others can learn from them.
What's even more impressive is that the Children's Success Foundation which certifies individuals on the Nurtured Heart Approach awarded two scholarships to two students to become certified NHA trainers. Two youth are are currently in North Dakota going through the training. This was an opportunity to make an economic impact in the lives of young people for years to come.
Finally (...for now), their work continues to grow and partnerships are sought after with The Greatness Project youth. The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) has co-submitted with Yosemite High School and The Greatness Project students a grant application to be 1 of 20 pilot programs in the nation to provide Teen Mental Health First Aid certifications to individuals under the age of 18. Typically, only adults 18 years and older can be certified in Teen Mental Health First Aid. I think they have a pretty good shot at being awarded! And actually, one of the student's in this NPR story has been recruited by NAMI for a paid/stipend position.
I would love to see the full support of the $1,500 for The Greatness Project. The funding would be used to take the students on educational field trips in New York City, so that these youth can come back to Merced and inspire other youth. It is because of adults like Ms. V, and partners like YOU who say to youth, "I see you and I'm willing to invest in you." that community transformation can be ignited. I'm sure and have the utmost confidence that this will be an investment with exponential community-impact dividends.
The Greatness Project youth and their supportive adults including Ms. V, Ms. Norma, Mr. Jolly, and the Yosemite HS staff are appreciative of your contribution to our cause.
______________________________________________________________________________
Merced Union High School District will be paying for the Global Summit registration, flight to/from New Jersey, and Hotel. What we need your help with is:
- Transportation: $104 round trip train ride (for two days per person)
- Educational Field Trips: $132 CityPass Admission to Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Total Expenses = $1,576:
- Transportation at $104 per person x 5 youth = $520
- Field Trips at $132 per person x (5 youth + 3 adults) = $1,056*
*The adults will be reimbursed for their transportation, but not for the educational field trips.
Once again, thank you for your help and support. And as a token of our appreciation we'd like to end our fundraising description with this poem by Hafez titled, "With that Moon Language" which best describes the work that we do with The Greatness Project Youth:
Admit something;
Everyone you see, you say to them,
"Love me."
Of course you do not do this out loud;
Otherwise,
Someone would call the cops.
Still though, think about this,
This great pull in us to connect.
Why not become the one
who lives with a full moon in each eye
That is always saying
With that sweet moon
Language
What every other eye in this world
Is dying to
Hear.
______________________________________________________________________________
Ms. V, who was brought on to Yosemite High School to help improve school climate, has helped amplify the youth voice. As a result of the students' affinity to Ms. V (and the Nurtured Heart Approach), they started an after-school club where they learn about the consulting business. The students have given trainings and presentations about looking at life through a positive lens and the importance of relationships. Audiences from the Le Grand Restorative Justice Summit, the Merced Co. Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Youth-2-Youth Conference, the Merced Union High School District Opportunity Youth Conference, University of California Merced Rural Justice Summit, and in many other spaces had the privilege of watching these young adults take charge of center stage. Youth are learning to harness their voices and to take ownership of the stories, so that others can learn from them.
What's even more impressive is that the Children's Success Foundation which certifies individuals on the Nurtured Heart Approach awarded two scholarships to two students to become certified NHA trainers. Two youth are are currently in North Dakota going through the training. This was an opportunity to make an economic impact in the lives of young people for years to come.
Finally (...for now), their work continues to grow and partnerships are sought after with The Greatness Project youth. The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) has co-submitted with Yosemite High School and The Greatness Project students a grant application to be 1 of 20 pilot programs in the nation to provide Teen Mental Health First Aid certifications to individuals under the age of 18. Typically, only adults 18 years and older can be certified in Teen Mental Health First Aid. I think they have a pretty good shot at being awarded! And actually, one of the student's in this NPR story has been recruited by NAMI for a paid/stipend position.
I would love to see the full support of the $1,500 for The Greatness Project. The funding would be used to take the students on educational field trips in New York City, so that these youth can come back to Merced and inspire other youth. It is because of adults like Ms. V, and partners like YOU who say to youth, "I see you and I'm willing to invest in you." that community transformation can be ignited. I'm sure and have the utmost confidence that this will be an investment with exponential community-impact dividends.
The Greatness Project youth and their supportive adults including Ms. V, Ms. Norma, Mr. Jolly, and the Yosemite HS staff are appreciative of your contribution to our cause.
______________________________________________________________________________
Merced Union High School District will be paying for the Global Summit registration, flight to/from New Jersey, and Hotel. What we need your help with is:
- Transportation: $104 round trip train ride (for two days per person)
- Educational Field Trips: $132 CityPass Admission to Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Total Expenses = $1,576:
- Transportation at $104 per person x 5 youth = $520
- Field Trips at $132 per person x (5 youth + 3 adults) = $1,056*
*The adults will be reimbursed for their transportation, but not for the educational field trips.
Once again, thank you for your help and support. And as a token of our appreciation we'd like to end our fundraising description with this poem by Hafez titled, "With that Moon Language" which best describes the work that we do with The Greatness Project Youth:
Admit something;
Everyone you see, you say to them,
"Love me."
Of course you do not do this out loud;
Otherwise,
Someone would call the cops.
Still though, think about this,
This great pull in us to connect.
Why not become the one
who lives with a full moon in each eye
That is always saying
With that sweet moon
Language
What every other eye in this world
Is dying to
Hear.
______________________________________________________________________________