A lesson for alternative high school students where students learned strategies to manage stress and anxiety to reduce negative behaviors and reactions in school and at home in order to apply these strategies to successful interactions in their everyday life.

I facilitate this program to reach an audience of young people who do not typically experience many developmental contexts that positive youth programming can offer. It is also a school where 100% of the students are enrolled in free and reduced lunch, and 80% of the students are on Individualized Education Plans. I facilitated social-emotional skill-building activities throughout the months of May and June. Although participation alone is not an indicator of success, these were the first lessons in which all students engaged in the planned activities. Of the 10 students enrolled at Change Academy, 9 students participated in this activity. As engagement in the program increases, the indicators of thriving youth development are more likely to be experienced.

PARTICIPANT QUOTES:
“A great way to bring the whole group together.”
“Sarah is so knowledgeable and is very enthusiastic.”
“An enthusiastic time of learning.”