FOSTERING MEDITATION

Fostering Meditation is a Harlem-based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to nurturing the mental development of at-risk youth and those in foster care by teaching The Five Steps 2 Wellness: Meditation, Yoga, Expressive Writing, Community, & Nutrition.

Mission & Vision

Mission

To help youth in foster care, alumni, and vulnerable populations jump-start their healing journey from past trauma and adverse life experiences through teaching the Five Steps 2 Wellness: Meditation, Yoga, Expressive Writing, Community, & Nutrition.

Vision

To create a community of Yogis who will become Yoga and Meditation Ambassadors, and further expand the Five Steps 2 Wellness, creating a world where we are continually Breathing, Meditating, and Healing together!

THE Challenge

adhd
Youth in foster care are three times as likely to have ADHD than children who live with biological families
pain
Five times as likely to have anxiety & seven times as likely to have depression in comparison to non-foster youth
cancer

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

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

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

sadness

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

little boy meditating

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!

FM News!

FM ROOM

90% of children in foster care exposed to trauma

Capture

Fostering Meditation program teaches students to look inward - CBS Special

Demetrius Napolitano leads a meditation class to fourth grade students at PSMS 108 in Harlem, New York on December 7, 2022.

‘Mr. Meditation’ a Former Foster Youth, Shares Meditation with NYC School Children - Imprint News

NY1 Photo

Former foster child teaches the benefits of meditation - NY1

IMG_0953-1

The Harlem Yogi: His Lived Experience is Transforming Lives

Funders & Partners

Grateful for our amazing sponsors and partners who help make healing accessible for the thousands of at-risk and foster youth living in NYC.