Life I Love School

this is an essential read if you're working with black and brown children ☀️ blog here: https://lnkd.in/gH7AqWRT

To create genuine, brave spaces for black and brown girls, it's important to check our biases, even when we share the same racial identity ☀️

☀️ #letsgo

I’m so excited to share that Life I Love School officially launched our first LiL Wellness Program at Esperanza Elementary in Oakland Unified! After years of dreaming about creating spaces where Black and Brown girls can feel seen, valued, and heard, I’ve begun this journey, and it’s already clear how much this program is needed in our communities. In our first lesson, we focused on stress. We opened the discussion by asking the girls to identify what they can control versus what they can’t. Watching their young minds process this complex topic was powerful. The girls were open, honest, and eager to explore how they can take ownership of their well-being, starting with understanding the difference between what's within their power and what’s not. To reinforce this, we introduced a hands-on activity: making calming glitter bottles. As they layered glitter, water, and other elements, the girls learned that, like glitter settling in a bottle, they too can find calm among life’s stressors. Seeing their excitement and sense of accomplishment as they shook their bottles was such a joy. This first session reminded me why I created Life I Love School in the first place. As a Black woman who grew up longing for spaces where I could truly be myself, I’ve always carried that desire into my teaching. I wanted to create an environment where girls like me could feel safe, express themselves fully, and not have to shrink to fit into spaces that weren’t built with them in mind. Leading this session, I saw how deeply needed LiL is. Our girls need something special to look forward to - a space where they can feel joy and be free to be themselves. Our Board President, Angelica Amelia Rodriguez, said it best: our objective is joy. This is only the beginning, but it’s clear that what we’re building is essential. Creating moments of calm in a world full of noise is a powerful act of love for our girls. It’s a reminder that they matter, and their well-being is worth investing in. I’m so grateful to be on this journey with them, and I can’t wait to see what’s next as we continue to grow this program and provide a safe space for our girls to thrive. Here’s to many more moments of joy, calm, and growth ahead! Read more about our first LiL Wellness Program session here: https://lnkd.in/gfjySu3X

☀️ This fall, Life I Love School is partnering with the Oakland Unified School District to bring our Wellness Programs to life, empowering a new generation of wellness ambassadors to support the mental well-being of our communities. In recent years, the mental health crisis among Black and Brown girls has become hard to ignore. With suicide rates rising at an alarming pace, a report by PEW Trusts highlights the urgent need to address the barriers to mental health care for Black adolescents. Despite widespread acknowledgment of the problem, Black girls are often misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed, leading to untreated mental health issues that can have devastating consequences. This is where Life I Love (LiL) School’s Wellness Programs come in. We understand that mental health care must be culturally responsive, reflecting the lived experiences of the Black and Brown girls we serve. Our programs empower girls with the tools to manage stress, recognize their emotions, and take ownership of their mental well-being in an environment that truly sees and validates them. One critical issue is the cultural mismatch in mental health diagnosis. Black girls often exhibit externalizing behaviors like anger or irritability, which are misinterpreted by professionals lacking cultural competency. As a result, many are misdiagnosed with behavioral disorders instead of receiving the help they need for depression or anxiety. LiL School’s Wellness Programs are designed to make a difference by: 1️⃣ Equipping girls with stress management tools: Teaching mindfulness, emotional regulation, and self-awareness to manage stress effectively. 2️⃣ Providing a safe and supportive space: Creating environments where Black and Brown girls can express vulnerability and connect with peers who understand their experiences. 3️⃣ Emphasizing early intervention: Offering mental health education and support early on to prevent more severe issues down the line. 4️⃣ Fostering community and empowerment: Building strong, supportive relationships and fostering a sense of belonging and resilience through group activities and discussions. The rise in suicide rates among Black and Brown girls is a call to action. Cultural competency in mental health care isn’t just ideal—it’s essential. At LiL School, we’re committed to bridging the gap in care, ensuring that these girls are seen, heard, and supported on their mental health journeys. Together, we can make a difference. Read the full blog post: https://lnkd.in/gY96gJjw #mentalhealth #lifeiloveschool #wellnessprograms #culturalcompetency

Supporting Early Intervention and Prevention for Black and Brown Girls' Mental Health The mental health crisis among Black and Brown girls is real and demands immediate action. At Life I Love School, we're committed to addressing this crisis head-on through proactive early intervention and prevention. Our programs empower young girls with essential life skills like self-awareness, stress management, and responsible decision-making—skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. The Hopeful Futures Campaign has highlighted the significant gaps in California's efforts to equip students with these vital skills. With little to no policy in place to support life skills education in K-12, we see an urgent opportunity for change. LiL School is stepping up to fill this gap, partnering with schools in under-resourced communities to deliver culturally responsive and evidence-based wellness programs that make a real difference. Our approach is holistic, involving not just the students but also their families, ensuring that the support system extends beyond the classroom. By starting early and focusing on prevention, we're helping to build a brighter future for girls—one where they are empowered, well-connected, and ready to lead lives they love. It's time to prioritize the mental health of all our children. Read our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/dhUua_67

As a mother of two young Black daughters—one just entering the crucial middle school years at 11, and the other only 3 months old—my passion for this work is deeply personal. I understand firsthand how essential these life skills are for their development and well-being. Every day, I see the world they are growing up in, filled with both opportunities and challenges that can shape their futures in profound ways. My commitment to this mission is rooted in the hope and determination that they, along with so many other girls like them, will be equipped with the tools they need to navigate life’s complexities with confidence and agency. It’s not just about helping them succeed today; it’s about ensuring they have the knowledge, skills and community to thrive for a lifetime. This is the legacy I want to leave for my daughters and for all the girls we serve.

Black and Brown girls face higher rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma due to exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress in under-resourced neighborhoods. At Life I Love School, we intervene early, equipping girls with the tools to manage stress through our Wellness Programs, preventing it from escalating into crisis. Join us in empowering the next generation to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay connected and support our mission. #MentalHealthMatters #EmpowerGirls #LifeILoveSchool IG: lifeilove.school https://lnkd.in/dpWkekz9

🚀 In July, our board at The Life I Love School kicked off FY25 by aligning on a strategic plan focused on growth. We're forming three key committees—Programs, Governance, and Resources—aligned with the Nonprofit Lifecycle Stages, inspired by Nonprofit Lifecycles: Stage-Based Wisdom for Nonprofit Capacity. Every board member is contributing to these efforts, and I'm excited about what this year holds as we take one strategic step at a time with our girls in mind. Learn more in our latest post: https://lnkd.in/gisYY_sw #NonprofitLeadership #StrategicGrowth #GirlEmpowerment #wellbeing #OrganizationalHealth #CommunityImpact #lifeilove 4o

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are excited to introduce you to Life I Love School, a brave space of hope and transformation in our community! Our vision is to create a world where girls are free from self-harm and suicide, leading lives filled with joy. The Life I Love School is dedicated to ending self-harm incidents and suicides among girls aged 10 to 14 by equipping them with the skills to navigate stressful situations, instilling hope instead of despair. Committed to creating a continuum of services, we empower girls to take ownership over their lives. We foster resilient communities where mental well-being is prioritized, support systems are robust, and every individual has access to the resources they need to thrive emotionally and mentally. We are committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment where every girl feels seen, heard, and valued. Through our flagship program launching this fall, we will provide support to girls in 4th and 5th grade in Oakland, laying the foundation for a brighter future filled with endless possibilities. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the lives of young girls in our community. Together, let's create a world where every girl can say, "I am leading a life I love!" Huge shout out to our board! President: Angelica Amelia Rodriguez VP: Michele Darchuck, Ed.D. Secretary: Najwa Yasmeen Treasurer: Sazan Ghafur Director: Onyi Apakama