LOCAL IMPACT in Hillsborough County, FL
Our certified SPARK Mentors deliver these evidence-based programs to children and youth across Hillsborough County, FL in Title I and alternative schools, detention centers, rehab centers, and more. Over 2,480 youth have directly received SPARK Mentoring in their school or youth facility in our community. They now understand their innate wisdom (or Spark) that can guide them through life to be successful, creative, confident, and resilient. This also means that many young people understand the inside-out approach of how we, as humans, experience life moment to moment. Such profound self-awareness allows them to walk through life with greater compassion for themselves and others. Additionally, these programs have been proven to effectively reduce risk around high-school drop-out, drug use, bullying, suicide, depression, and anxiety.
300+ youth impacted by One-On-One Mentoring Services
We provide free one-on-one mentoring to anyone under the age of 18 in our community. Over 300 young people have had the opportunity to speak on a weekly basis with a private mentor. This service tends to create a strong impact on those who are personally struggling and have reached out for mental health support. During these sessions, youth have gained a clearer understanding of themselves and their ability to make successful decisions for their future. Equipped with an understanding of how the mind works, we have witnessed mentees step into their confidence, create healthier relationships, and enjoy all the benefits of increased self-awareness.
320+ survivors of sex-trafficking impacted by support group
Our weekly support groups have impacted over 320 survivors of sex-trafficking survivors in our local community. Through a partnership we have with Selah Freedom, we have worked closely together to help these young women see their true selves, beyond their past or decisions made. They have been guided to see that they are always whole, and their Spark is innate. We have witnessed women complete this phase in their recovery and move to the next phase with confidence and a clearer perspective of the life they desire.
In partnership with The Insight Alliance (UK) and Beyond Recovery (Portland, OR), we’ve developed a powerful wellness curriculum for those currently incarcerated. This program, called Insight to Well-Being, has impacted over 520 adults in the Falkenburg Road Jail located in Hillsborough County, FL. Because of our strong belief that everyone has innate well-being, regardless of their current situation and/or decision made, we develop a unique connection with participants in this program to help them live in their well-being more of the time. This prevents recidivism and gives an opportunity to reach their potential.
This year-long paid internship is designed to help guide young people, ages 14-26, to have a better understanding of their own mental health while also supporting their passion to create positive change in their communities. Through mental health training, shadowing our classes, and their own passion projects, interns become equipped and inspired to make a difference in their communities. Interns have created projects that support: students with tutoring in school, mental health in the LGBTQ+ community, and access to critical resources like schooling, housing, employment, mental health, and food. We’ve had the privilege of graduating 18 young people since the program’s inception in 2021.