Partnerships

2024 was a year of success for our small, but mighty team. We worked with 68 clients from around the United States (WOW!), with 26 of those as retained clients from previous years. I asked each of our staff to sum up this past year in 1-2 words and this is what our team came up with: Gaige: Synergic Opportunities Samantha: Monumental Teamwork Brittany: Sustainable progress Sterling: Growth Mentality Jess: Exceeded Goals In 2025, we hope to continue to do more of the Read ▸ about Happy Holidays & Happy New Year from the Cairn Team!

The Cairn Guidance team is proud to introduce the annual School Health Leadership Award. This prestigious award honors education leaders across the nation, including Superintendents, Deputy Superintendents, Directors of Instruction, State and School Board Members, and Principals, who prioritize the health and well-being of students to help them reach their full potential. These visionary leaders recognize the vital connection between health and education. They are the change-makers who Read ▸ about Announcing Cairn Guidance’s Inaugural School Health Leadership Award!

By: Sterling Ta'Bon, Healthy Schools Manager & National DSEP Cadre Coordinator  Robert E. Howard Middle School is named after Orangeburg South Carolina’s acclaimed educator, coach, and community leader, Robert E. Howard. Howard was a long-time advocate in a town known for cultivating renowned leaders and efforts in civil rights. He supported youth and athletics for decades till his passing in 2009.  But still, standing In the hallways of the school named after him, advocacy is carried Read ▸ about Howard Dove Girls: They wear the shirt, and do the work!

By: Jess Lawrence, Director of Cairn Guidance Edited by: Amanda McMullen of Polished Pear Creative Editing Nini Mohamed and I met at WorldFest in Louisville in July 2023 during a soccer clinic hosted by the LouCity & Racing Foundation, where I’m privileged to serve on the Board of Directors. I cycled to the event. Nini noticed my orange bicycle covered in stickers and a bead zip-tied to the head tube.  “Did you bike here?” he asked.I nodded. “This is my touring bike Read ▸ about The Impact of Partnerships

By: Richelle Calderon (NY) Have you ever had a professional encounter that completely changed your trajectory? For me, that moment came in 2019 as a college junior at the NYS AHPERD Conference. I wandered by The Dove Self-Esteem Project (DSEP) booth, curious about an activity that focused on appreciating things we love about ourselves beyond physical appearance - I cherished my Dominican culture - and just like that I received a tote bag and a bookmark that gave me access to all the DESP Read ▸ about My Journey with the Dove Self-Esteem Project: Views from a DSEP Cadre Trainer

The Dove Self-Esteem Project is on a mission to highlight self-confidence as the source of beauty, not outward appearances, and societal standards. With the global mission of reaching ¼ billion young people by 2030, everyone can play a role in increasing body confidence and self-esteem in the lives of youth. Curricula like Dove Self-Esteem Project’s, Confident Me, My Hair My Crown, Proud to Be and Celebrándome present free and easily accessible turnkey lessons and activities. The ability to Read ▸ about The Dove Self-Esteem Project:  A mission for all.

The Dove Self-Esteem Project offers an incentive every project year for those who complete our Confident Me! feedback survey, this years winner was Rocky Flint. Rocky is a PE teacher from Oklahoma and this year the Dove Self-Esteem Project provided the funding for his trip to TAHPERD. Check out Rocky's experience below! I am so grateful for the opportunity that the Dove Self-Esteem Project gave me to attend the TAHPERD 100th Conference this year. I could never have attended Read ▸ about Insights from a Winner of the Dove Self-Esteem Project Incentive

By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner Growing up can be quite the adventure for today’s youth. Some of us, reading this blog, grew up prior to or just as the cell phone or the internet came to be in existence. Then there is the explosion of social media platforms. Today’s youth are growing up surrounded by all kinds of technology. They “game” with people they do not know who may live in another country, inviting them into their personal spaces. Youth are Read ▸ about I Want To Look Like That: The Era of Media and Social Media and Its Impact on Appearance Ideals