Be a part of starting unique services for youth!

As a new nonprofit, we have learned that it truly takes partnership and collaboration to get our services started.  There are many challenges that a new nonprofit faces in getting established with full funding.  We have       programming set, passion and skills in what we do, and we’re ready to hit the ground running.   We are also mindful that our program is still in development.  The bridge to getting Pawsitive Ripples Effect Project services to youth truly is in building genuine, foundational partnerships with other providers and groups that also support youth in our          community.   Many of the youth our program aims to serve may already be connected to services, and we can offer our own unique approach to build wraparound supports.  We know that how people heal through and process trauma, strengthen confidence, and build life skills is not a one size fits all solution.  The more opportunities youth have to find what resonates with them, the better.  More safe adults and safe community authentically showing up in a youth’s life strengthens their resiliency.  With this in mind, we are on a mission  to build & maintain strong partnerships!

 Our first partnership was with Clark County’s Teen Talk.  Teen Talk is an amazing group of trained youth volunteers that provide non-judgmental peer-to-peer support to teens in the community who need to talk about what they’re dealing with in life. 

 We started by talking with Teen Talk staff and collaboratively sculpting a day for teen volunteers that could provide teambuilding within their group, self care skills, a safe space to process their experience and role, and share in some fun and laughter outdoors.  

 The Teen Talk/Pawsitive Ripples Effect Project event was a success!     In August we hosted an Activity Day at the Luke Jenson Sports Complex.   We truly  appreciated the opportunity to meet these awesome teens.  Heather & Darby, our founders, facilitated problem solving games through a challenge-by-choice           approach, making it clear that there was no wrong way for youth to participate throughout the day.  Hands-on activities helped youth build stronger connections between each other and dive in to safely discuss issues around trauma/stressors that young people face.  We found a peaceful setting,  surrounded by trees, to practice grounding skills together.  We talked out how important it is to     prioritize self care when stepping up to support others , normalizing that it can be a challenge to navigate and it takes intentional practice.  We about what youth who may not feel seen or heard are dealing with and shared how to reach those youth through outreach efforts.  Most of all, we reinforced what an incredible, positive difference Teen Talk    volunteers make by showing up for their peers that need support.  Pawsitive Ripples Effect Project can continue to      support them in their efforts. Our partnership with Teen Talk volunteers is ongoing.  

 Collaborating with youth is a core value of our organization.  Through feedback from the youth participating that day, we were able to improve some activities we offer as we continue connecting with more youth in the community. 

 In planning for the Activity Day with Teen Talk, we now have a number of     activities ready to go as tools in talking about the struggles youth face, many which   remind us all to connect with nature, something that can be overlooked when life gets chaotic.  We are currently building additional partnerships and looking to forge new connections in the community.  If you know a group that may benefit from our services, please reach out!  pawsitiveripples@gmail.com