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FOSTERING MEDITATION

Fostering Meditation is a Harlem-based 501 (c)(3) Wellness Nonprofit committed to nurturing the mental development of at-risk youth and those in foster care by teaching The Five Steps to Wellness: Meditation, Yoga, Expressive Writing, Community, & Nutrition.

Mission & Vision

Mission

To help youth within and without foster care jump-start their healing journey from past trauma and adverse life experiences through our Five Steps to Wellness Program: Meditation, Yoga, Expressive Writing, Community, & Nutrition.

Vision

To create the next generation of yoga and meditation teachers who will further expand the Five Steps to Wellness, creating a world where we are continually breathing, meditating, and healing together!

THE Challenge

Youth in foster care are three times as likely to have ADHD than children who live with biological families

Five times as likely to have anxiety & seven times as likely to have depression in comparison to non-foster youth

There’s a 60 % increase of suicide with every adverse childhood experience

Children in foster care are prescribed psychotropic medications 3-11 times higher than their peers who don’t reside within the system

90 % of foster children have been exposed to some complex trauma

80 % of youth suffer from a mental health issue, ranging from PTSD, panic & anxiety disorders and to drug & alcohol abuse

THE SOLUTION

Five Steps 2 Wellness

Mindfulness Meditation is about deep attention and awareness of every moment with the intention to understand and allow to be, rather than to judge and critique. It is while we are practicing mindfulness on our mat, we become aware of passing physical sensations, arising emotional states, and roaming thoughts, which follow us throughout our day.

Our Approach

A 12-week program that provides at-risk youth with the tools to promote Wellness through Five Steps

meditation

Yoga

Nutrition

Expressive Writing

Community

Our Impact

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Youth served

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Social workers Served

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Teachers & Parents Served

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Meditation pillows distributed

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Yoga mats distributed

POLICY PAPER

In the summer of 2020, New Yorkers for Children and Fostering Meditation partnered to research how Mindfulness could help youth in foster care manage anxiety, depression, and create a more holistic and healthy life!