Kids Up Front Toronto’s Post

Remember to connect with each other this #childrenmentalhealthweek Today’s lifestyle is focused on electronic connections. The amount of screen time has exploded along with the information age. Studies show that teens spend approximately nine hours a day in front of screens. Kids aged 8-12 get about six hours of screen time each day, creating a society that is being raised in a digital environment. Why not try some habits that promote connection with your child. 💙Less technology. Your child will remember if you gave your full attention or just listened with half an ear. Dropping everything else when you interact with your child demonstrates how important he/she is to you; much more important than a phone call or email from work. 💙One-on-one time. Every day, schedule 10-15 minutes with each child. Play a game, talk, or go for a walk. Don’t structure the time, let it be a personal time to connect. 💙Slow down. Every interaction is important, demonstrate that you’re listening and that you care. 💙No ritual is better for providing regular connection than a bedtime routine. Reading and talking about their day, gives your children a sense of belonging and security. Don’t rush through it. When you connect with your children every day and in a number of ways, you’ll gain benefits too. The relationship you build will establish positive returns. When your kids become teenagers, they’ll be able to trust your guidance and will actually want to follow it. #support #hereforyou #charity #familysupport #heretolisten #advice #community #broxbourne #hertfordshire #yourvoicematters #childrensmentalhealthweek

Ahhh! This is the moment that everything will come to a head! Leaning back and putting my body #overtheedge is going to be so scary, exciting, and nerve-wracking! But I’m willing to do it for an incredible cause! I’m going to rappel to expand adolescent recovery services because I wish a place like 4D Recovery existed when I started experiencing Substance Use Disorder in high school. A place that made RECOVERY look attractive to me. A place where I could see other people I thought were cool and admired who chose SOBRIETY and had a lot of fun doing it! When I was in high school the kids I saw having fun were the ones dropping acid and MDMA, or at the least getting high and drinking at all the parties. But the fact is, with the surge of fentanyl - it’s no longer safe for kids to have an experimental phase like so many of us did! And in Oregon, there are very few resources available to people under the age of 18. It’s time to expand adolescent recovery support and treatment! What an EPIC way to bring awareness and raise money for the future of our world.. our youth! 🔆 I’m looking for local businesses who want to join us as sponsors as we descend into action, raising vital funds and awareness. As well as individuals who want to take the plunge with us this June at the Hyatt Centric Downtown Portland! 🔆 THIS opportunity for team building and corporate partner visibility is unlike anything you've ever participated in before. Plus, you will make a lasting impact in your community. Will you #rappelforrecovery with us? https://lnkd.in/gAvP53VK #rappelforrecovery #overtheedge #sobermovement #soberlifestyle #4drecovery #corporatesponsorship #philanthropy #communityimpact #overtheedge

🌟 Elevate Your Impact: Empower Others Through Support 🌟 Looking to make a meaningful difference? Helping others isn't just an act of kindness—it's a catalyst for positive change. Here's how you can maximize your impact: 1. **Volunteer with Purpose**: Explore local volunteer opportunities aligned with your passions and skills. Whether it's mentoring youth or serving meals at a shelter, your time and expertise can transform lives. 2. **Prioritize Mental Well-being**: Foster a supportive environment by sharing resources for mental health assistance. From helplines to therapy options, providing access to support services can be a lifeline for those in need. 3. **Fuel Change Through Donations**: Amplify your impact by contributing to reputable donation platforms. Your generosity can fuel initiatives ranging from disaster relief efforts to educational scholarships, making a tangible difference in the lives of others. 4. **Craft Care with Compassion**: Get creative with DIY projects to craft care packages or essentials for those facing hardship. Whether it's assembling hygiene kits or knitting blankets, your handmade contributions spread warmth and kindness. 5. **Learn and Lead**: Equip yourself with knowledge and skills to effectively support others. Explore educational resources and training programs focused on crisis intervention, counseling, and community outreach. 6. **Forge Connections**: Foster a sense of belonging by connecting individuals with community support groups and online forums. Building networks of support empowers individuals to navigate challenges and thrive together. 7. **Join the Movement**: Engage with social media campaigns and initiatives dedicated to uplifting those in need. By amplifying awareness and mobilizing action, you can be a catalyst for positive change in your community and beyond. Together, let's champion a culture of support and compassion. Because when we lift others, we elevate humanity. #HelpingOthers #CommunityImpact #SupportMatters 🤝✨ --------

Online Safety is a hot topic right now, not just because it is #saferinternetday, but also because of the heightened news coverage around #BriannaGhey Firstly, as a parent I have a lot of sympathy for the parent's involved in the Brianna Ghey situation, and I understand why she is calling for bans on devices with apps and social media for children under 16. I think Brianna's mum definitely hit a nail on the head campaigning for mindfulness in schools, as a kinder mindful society will tackle most problems and I have donated to her chosen campaign: https://lnkd.in/e5b4CXuF Please consider donating too if you can! However, I do not think outright bans will solve the issue. Unfortunately, the young people in the Brianna Ghey case would have accessed the content whether they had access to apps or not. They would have accessed it via netflix, google, libraries. Bad things will exist beyond social media and app usage. Whilst social media apps can do more to prevent harm to young people using them, we are negligent if we only look at social media as a cause. We must look at home environments, healthcare, but also how on earth something had not been triggered to prevent this kind of thing with one of the killers when they get expelled from a school for poisoning another student. Additionally, that 13-16 year old period is an important period for a teenager to access social media supervised, and to build a positive culture at home. Hopefully, then at 16 when they get unsupervised access, they know how to use it safely, responsibly, with some resilience and feel confident enough to ask trusted more knowledgeable people for help. I would be very concerned about 16 year olds suddenly accessing social media at 16 for the first time unsupervised. At that age they are far more capable of doing inappropriate things, reckless behaviour, and using social media less innocently than the 13-16 window. I guess the next argument would be supervised access at 16 until they are 18. If a 16 year old can join the army, and a 17 year old is trusted in a car unsupervised, but we do not want to give them unsupervised access to social media at 16, we need to evaluate age and supervision more broadly. Online safety needs to start with community, education, parenting, and yes a bit more effort from the social media companies. We need to do more to make young people safer, more responsible, productive and healthy with their device and social media use. Outright bans could just cause more harm. It will likely drive it underground which can cause more harm (like we see with other things). As part of my efforts with Seren Kids to make children safer online I will be looking at bringing some people together from education and social media to look at any campaigns and work we can do to reach this goal! Please message me if you would like to participate. #socialmedia #education #linkedinnews #edtech #news #internetsafety #esafety #teacher

Why is it helpful for #autistic children to be among #neurotypical peers during the summer? This is a question I have been asked a lot since embarking on founding a nonprofit. The answer is that to achieve true #inclusion, #autisticchildren have to be included. And to be included, autistic children need time to develop the social skill set needed to be among peers. While some of this can be done at school during the year, camp represents a less formal structure where fun and friendship are stressed over learning and school work. It is a perfect place to practice, grow, and build confidence in social skills. That’s why #ThePositivitySpectrum has our #CampForKids program providing aides to support autistic children as they navigate the opportunity to attend camp.

In these ever-changing times, it's important to take care of yourself and find your tribe. Stress and changes, even when positive, can leave us feeling frazzled and unmoor. When this happens, it's important to focus on your well-being. Well-being extends beyond traditional self-care practices like yoga and meditation. True well-being encompasses economic stability, access to essential resources, empowerment, and strong community connections. Today I want to share some valuable resources that focus on these broader aspects of well-being. As I gear up for my #Bellagio residency in September, I want to make sure we are all not just resilient, but well-resourced! The #EconomicMobilityProject initiative by The Pew Charitable Trusts provides research and data to understand economic mobility trends and policies that can foster upward movement. United Way 2-1-1 connects individuals with essential services in their local area, including housing assistance, food programs, and healthcare. The National Council of Nonprofits provides a directory of nonprofits offering various services, from legal aid to educational programs, ensuring everyone can find the support they need. The #SelfEmploymentAssistance (SEA) Program helps unemployed individuals start their own businesses by providing financial support and entrepreneurial training. The ACLU advocates for individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, focusing on issues like criminal justice reform, voting rights, and reproductive freedom. Well-being is multi-faceted, and it's essential to address it from various angles to create a supportive, thriving community.

💡 Our recent evaluation of 42nd Street Charity's digital service has uncovered found that early intervention is a key in preventing further escalation, fostering positive outcomes for the #mentalhealth and #wellbeing of young people.   🔍 Key Insights: There were no significant differences in ethnicity between online and face-to-face users. - 95%+ online users self-referred, reasons varied. - Online platform demonstrated broader reach in diversity, geography, and circumstances. - 90%+ reported mental well-being improvements, crediting 42nd Street Charity's compassionate support.   🔗 For a deeper dive into our findings, check out the full report: bit.ly/45sgszd   #MyVoiceMatters #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

#Philanthropy is highly underrated. I give my time and skillsets to Family & Children's Services. As a member of the Young Professionals Advisory Council, we toured the CATS (Child Abuse & Trauma Services) facilities and heard from front line experts. This week, we will be volunteering to put on a holiday party for the child clients and their families. Here’s how I found the best-suited cause to volunteer and serve: 1️⃣ YOUR PASSIONS: Find causes that align with your personal passions and values. Reflect on issues that genuinely matter to you — is it education, healthcare, or environmental sustainability? Getting involved in a cause you’re passionate is key for a fulfilling commitment. 2️⃣ NEED-BASED: Look for specific needs within your local #community. You can reach out to local organizations or attend community meetings. If you understand the needs of your community, you can see where the most impact can be. 3️⃣ NETWORK: Partnering locally can serve you too. There’s people associated with the same cause who you can connect with for expertise, resources, and #networks. Where do you #serve?

🌿 Time in Nature is More Important for Kids Than Ever 🌳 Just came across this insightful blog post from the NATIONAL RECREATION FOUNDATION, INC: Time in Nature is Even Better for Kids Than We Thought. https://lnkd.in/gRjncAEM The article dives into the profound benefits that spending time in nature has on children, from boosting their mental well-being to enhancing their cognitive development. In a world where screen time often overshadows outdoor play, it’s crucial to remember the simple yet powerful impact that nature can have on our young people's growth, health and happiness. As our communities continue to navigate many modern challenges, here at Oakland Goes Outdoors we are proud to prioritize getting youth in Oakland outside, exploring, and connecting with the world around them. It’s not just a break from routine—it’s essential for their future. #ChildDevelopment #OutdoorEducation #MentalHealth #PhysicalHealth #NatureBenefits #childreninnature #getoutside #diversifytheoutdoors #bayareanature

Psychologists call it "role theory." For every role you have -- parent, coach, friend, coworker -- there is a source of purpose and meaning in your life. Older adults tend to lose roles as they see children move out, they retire, and they become less involved in their community. Volunteering not only provides a new role and a new purpose for older adults, but also research shows that volunteers report lower levels of stress and greater amounts of life satisfaction. Volunteers report less discomfort than non-volunteers in the population of people dealing with chronic pain or illness. But where can older adults find their new role and their new purpose in service? Enter the United Way. A long-standing pillar of service, the United Way vets every nonprofit organization to determine that funds will be well spent and volunteers will provide impactful service to those who are truly in need. In this episode of the Later in Life Planning Show, Jason Maddux of the United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County discusses the wide array of service opportunities that are available. https://lnkd.in/eEFA-T6b