Howard Schultz’s Post

One of the biggest challenges facing America today is an epidemic of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. And it’s hitting young people the hardest. When facing a crisis as big as teen mental health, how do you know where to start? One way is by putting young people at the heart of the solution.    That’s why I am thrilled to announce that the Schultz Family Foundation is partnering with 11 states, Pinterest, AmeriCorps and America Forward to launch the country’s first Youth Mental Health Corps.    Corps members will spend a year in schools connecting their peers to support. By serving, they’ll gain skills and experience, receive a stipend, and earn a credential towards a career - while making a positive impact on their communities and filling a critical gap in the workforce.   National service is a win-win for addressing the teen mental-health crisis demonstrating the power of philanthropy, business, government, and non-profits partnering to create innovative solutions to critical national challenges.   Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dUf8Fh27

Much of my professional life has centered around working with youth. For the past 25 years from front line work, to taking on various leadership roles. In my personal life, my wife is a psychotherapist and I also happen to have three kids. I would never qualify myself as an expert in the field of youth mental health, but I have had a lot of experiences that have shaped my perspective. With that said there has been so much in the news over the last few years about the state of mental health in our young people. It is real. Young people were often struggling before the pandemic, and then the pandemic made things even worse. Now on the other side of the pandemic we are facing a new set of challenges which are impacting families and young people. There has not been a magical recovery that I think many of us were hoping for. For over 80 years Outward Bound has operated on the premise that there is "more in you than you think." Our job is to help young people learn how to overcome challenges and unlock their human potential. The video below (turn the sound on!) personifies this sentiment, and shows young people, in different environments, thriving! What's most amazing is to hear the stories of how these young people take those skills learned in the field back to their day to day lives. Most of the young people who experience Outward Bound would not be able to do so without our generous supporters. As we enter the year end giving season, please consider investing in the human potential of young people! https://lnkd.in/gjzY9aT6

I’m accepting the hashtag #NotAloneChallenge from the wonderful Jen Fisher 🦋 If I'm being honest, I feel some mixed emotions about this post. The fact that we have to create hashtags and challenges to increase awareness of the *significant* mental health crisis in the U.S. makes me feel both a little angry but also hopeful. Think about this: - The latest NIH data suggests that 1 in 5 of us in the U.S. are living with a mental illness (anxiety, depression, etc.). That's 21% of us...that's 1 person in your 5 person family; 2 of your 10 person team at work; 20 of the 100 people on the subway on your commute. - But, estimates suggest that only half of those people will receive treatment. How is it possible that we still don't have a way for everyone to receive the support and treatment they need? The #NotAloneChallenge is raising awareness and funds to provide free mental health resources for everyone, because no one should have to struggle in silence. This will surely be part of our family's giving plan this year for the Christmas holiday. I'm challenging two powerful advocates in my circle - Stephanie Harrison and Karen M. Allen - to help me spread the word. Thankful for how you incredible women use your platforms to support real change. Go to notalonechallenge.org for mental health resources and to bid on auction items to support Inspiring Children Foundation and Jewel in their mission to democratize wellness. #MentalHealth #Awareness #Wellbeing #Support #Community #InspiringChildren

Young, Black & Giving Back Institute (YBGB) is hosting their 6th annual Giving Day to support Black-led nonprofits. 💜💜💜     Historically Black-led nonprofits have received a smaller share of philanthropic dollars. Some studies have shown that these organizations are less likely to receive funding from major foundations and, when they do, the grants are often smaller. 😢     Due to historical underfunding, many Black-led organizations operate with smaller budgets and staff, making it difficult to expand programming or invest in infrastructure and professional development. 🪴     This is a crucial problem in the development of black communities being that it's black led nonprofits that are in fact the ones on the ground in black communities fighting for change.     FASTell Girl Model2Mentor Program is raising awareness and funding for our spring 2024 cycle and need the support of the community we serve. The majority of our clients are Latino and black with limited access to quality mental health and behavioral health services.       Depression, anxiety, and SI rates are on the rise throughout our country with minority girls rates exceeding all groups. FASTell Girl Model2Mentor Program was developed to answer this problem through affording our girls with QUALITY & PROFESSIONAL behavior management counseling, mentoring, and academic/career advisement at NO COST.     Early Giving starts today and on August 28th, #Dallas let's bring our community organizations to the forefront that are making the change our future generations need to succeed. ✊🏾🖤 #YBGB #DallasGivesBack #UnityInCommunity #SupportBlackNonprofits #nonprofit #nonprofits #nonprofitleadership #Nonprofitsupport https://lnkd.in/gi5NZYsa

"MissionForward" is a dynamic business consulting firm that specializes in fostering positive change in youth ministries and nonprofits. Our mission is to transform these organizations into mental health-focused and inclusive environments, ultimately enhancing the experiences of youth and families. Key Services: Mental Health Integration: We work closely with youth ministries to create a culture of mental health awareness and support. Consulting to provide training and resources to equip leaders and volunteers in recognizing and addressing mental health challenges among youth. Inclusivity Enhancement: We help organizations become more inclusive by embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Assisting in developing strategies that ensure all youth, regardless of background or identity, feel welcome and valued. Strategic Development: For nonprofits, we offer strategic development services that enhance their ability to create a more profound impact. This includes crafting effective fundraising strategies, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing program effectiveness. Youth and Family Enrichment: Consulting to collaborate with nonprofits to develop programs that enrich the lives of youth and families. These initiatives are designed to strengthen bonds, encourage personal growth, and create a sense of community. Unique Approach: Customized Solutions: We understand that every organization is unique. Our approach is highly tailored to address the specific needs and challenges of each youth ministry and nonprofit, ensuring our solutions are effective and sustainable. Mental Health Advocacy: We are passionate advocates for mental health awareness and support within youth ministries. Our goal is to destigmatize mental health challenges and create an environment where youth feel safe seeking help. Diversity and Inclusion: Inclusivity is at the core of our approach. We champion diversity and equity, helping organizations to create spaces where all youth and families can thrive. Community Impact: We believe in the power of youth ministries and nonprofits to transform communities. Our work extends beyond the organization to positively impact the lives of individuals and families in the community. "MissionForward" is driven by the belief that youth ministries and nonprofits play a vital role in shaping the lives of young people and their families. Through our services, we aim to empower these organizations to create richer, more connected, and inclusive experiences for all, ultimately fostering positive change in the lives of those they serve. #strategicconsulting #youthdevelopment #inclusivity #development #consulting #nonprofits #grants #programs #projectmanagement #coaching

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Hope doesn't put up with bad reality but seeks to transform it. A trip to Seattle taught me how to hope. I was there with a group of doctoral students; our task was to run around the city for a week and interview all those who fall through the gaps of society, and those who mend those gaps. It was experiential learning at its best. My group took on a big issue of homelessness in Seattle and we looked for hope in the midst of a real and raw social crises there. To our surprise hope was not hard to find at all. Hope was everywhere; in the hands that passed the warm meal to a shivering stranger, in the café that employed homeless young people under this beautifully formulated statement: Young people need more than just a job to move beyond street life; they need the opportunity to form a new identity and the chance to discover who they are and can become (Street Bean Café). Hope was sitting at the desk of every non-profit we visited, it drove a van, collected blankets, walked the streets. I learned a very important lesson as we walked the streets of Seattle, and discussed our findings over clam chowder – those who are busy bringing about change do not have time to ask, is there hope? They create hope as they go. They produce it often out of something very little and insignificant. They give hope. Hope is visible in action, it lives in a very real and concrete manner, because hopeful people are radiant. If you lack hope today, do not worry – there is plenty of it around. Get busy doing good things and you will find it. (Street Bean Cafe folks in the picture below) #hopefullimagination #wisdomleadership

Read more about this limited-time opportunity to support the Summer Fund's Mental Health Grant Program, and how your foundation can have its grant matched, in the post below!

Re: Social Media and Youth Mental Health. Received the following from a local school system and wanted to pass it on: As we begin to think about summer and the extra time that students might have, we want to bring to your attention a recent publication that impacts many of our students. The U.S. Surgeon General has released an advisory entitled Social Media and Youth Mental Health. An advisory is only issued when there are significant public health challenges that require the nation’s immediate awareness and action. We understand that there are both positive and negative impacts on children and adolescents. If you have the opportunity, you may want to read the entire report linked above. The majority of this information is from this report.   There is much more that we need to learn about the impact of social media on mental health. In the meantime, we do know that there are profound risks of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. The data surrounding the use of social media is startling: up to 95% of youth ages 13 - 17 report using a social media platform, with more than a third saying they are using social media ‘almost constantly’ and nearly 40% of children ages 8 - 12 use social media. As a reminder, most platforms require that students should be at least 13 years old to use social media.   Some of the concerns shared in the report regarding social media and young people include: Students spending more than 3 hours a day on social media are at risk for symptoms of depression and anxiety. 8th and 10th graders spend an average of 3.5 hours per day on social media; Nearly half of adolescents aged 13 - 17 said that social media negatively affects their body image; Almost two-thirds of adolescents are ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ exposed to hate-based content; Social media platforms can be sites for predatory behaviors and interactions with malicious actors who target children and adolescents; and Some researchers believe that social media exposure can overstimulate the reward center in the brain and can trigger pathways comparable to addiction when used excessively.   Here are some suggestions: Create a family media plan. Create rules for when devices should be stowed away for the evening and kept away from the meal table. Model responsible social media behavior for your children; Find ways to foster in-person friendships in tech-free zones; Look at commonsensemedia.org to get more suggestions for talking with your child about appropriate use of social media and how to talk with children about their feelings in connection with this; Talk to our students about what they have learned about online safety in schools. Work with your own friends to create shared expectations so that no individual feels left out; and Make it a daily practice to review the content in your child’s phone. We are hearing too many stories about students getting involved with human traffickers via different apps.

In 2003 I launched my first social cause, nonprofit organization with a focus on addressing youth obesity and type ll diabetes for black pre-teen girls on Long Island (Rockville Centre). As a founder, entrepreneur - I drove in, juggling everything while working full-time and "mothering" my son. I had a small supportive circle, but I burned myself out trying to keep ALL the balls in the air while smiling - Like it was all good. Guess what? I wasn't a robot - lots of balls fell on the floor. I didn't really ask for help because I thought I had it all under control and wanted things a certain way. (I know right - stupid). After a few years of running SGF2P I ran myself down. I let go of my vision and advocacy for black teen girls. I now see so many of those pre-teen girls all grown now, college grads, raising their families and having successful careers. I regret NOT asking for help because there is such a need for mentoring programming for pre-teen black girls and addressing health disparities in our community. I took my lessons from SGF2P: I've learned to unplug I ask for help I don't overload plate I won't ever quit on my vision again! You have to save yourself so you can continue to go another day. There are no awards given for burn out visionary mompreneurs.... ARE THERE?? (asking for a friend) Moms don't wait for Mother's Day to invite people to celebrate you - celebrate yourself each day! Love yourself MORE - learn to move differently Love and light, Alicia James, The PAM Project #ThePAMProject #blackmaternalhealth #maternalmentalhealthweek #mentalhealthmonth #preserveamom #PAM #motherhood #changeagents #mompreneurs #wellness #MsAliciaJames #smallbusinessbigdreams #smallbusinessbigheart #mindingmyownbusiness #mentalhealthawarenessmonth