Nurturing Youth Emotional Well Being

Between the pandemic and the renewed spotlight on systemic racism, 2020 has been a turbulent year for everyone, including children who are feeling anxious and fearful. Young people with prior mental health issues have been particularly affected. What more can we do to protect and nurture the emotional well-being of our kids during these unprecedented times?

In October, we offered youth development nonprofits in our catchment area a one-time grant opportunity to develop new or expanded programs and resources to enhance emotional health supports for children of all ages.

Programming could be targeted to children, parents/guardians, caregivers, teachers, and others working directly with youth, and could include one-on-one supports, support groups, education, outreach and messaging, or other creative strategies that address a range of issues including, but not limited to, stress, anxiety, depression, fear, loneliness, and grief.

Recipients included: Advocates, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MA/MetroWest, Camp Casco, Doc Wayne Youth Services, Hoops and Homework, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (2), SMILE MA, SMOC, SPARK Kindness, The Learning Center for the Deaf, ThinkGive, Inc.