1 in 5 children and teens will face a significant mental health condition during their school years, ranging from anxiety and depression to eating disorders. Self-injurious behaviors and suicide are on the rise. Many need help where they have fallen behind social-emotionally.

Research confirms that students tend to do better in school when they are holistically healthy. Children need social and emotional instruction, practice, and feedback during sustained interaction and collaboration. Wellness education provides the opportunity to develop social emotional skills and has a long-term impact on improving mental health and educational outcomes.

Our Youth Program focuses on supporting the whole child through experiential learning spaces. We partner with community youth groups, schools and other educational institutions to bring in-class workshops or large group assemblies, resulting in higher self-esteem and stronger sense of self, the ability to recognize and share feelings, stronger relationships with peers and family, increased academic performance, perseverance and resilience, decreased emotional stress and fewer behavioral problems and mental health issues.

Academies:

• KIDZ Culinary Academy: Eating for Healthy Kids - This Academy provides cooking and nutrition education focused on seasonal, fresh, organic foods. Youth become educated about the age-appropriate basics of nutrition and learn to cook healthy snacks, main meals and prepare refreshing beverages. The class will include a hands-on component of making a recipe and learning about the health benefits of the ingredients in each dish. They also learn how to measure, pay attention to what they are making, and taste as they go. 

• KIDZ Art Academy: Creative Expression for SEL – This Academy uses the arts as a teaching tool to develop social and emotional learning. Through visual arts, music, dance and expressive writing, children and youth learn wellness practices to facilitate joyful movement, mindfulness, healing relationships and soulful service.