Partnerships

By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner As a child, once school ended, it seemed like June was a long month and there were endless things to do. The freedom to do them at will felt good. Then July sped by and August felt like summer was over in the blink of an eye. Slowly, the excitement of returning to school built inside. Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! For some students the 2023-24 school year began the first week in August, for others it may be Read ▸ about School Days, Here for Some, Around the Corner for Others

The 2023 DSEP Cadre Trainer Retreat By Antionette Meeks of Cairn Guidance, a Dove Self-Esteem Project Partner Flight delays, flight cancelations, personal and family emergencies impacted this year’s Dove Self-Esteem Project (DSEP) Cadre Trainer Retreat (Retreat). We were a bit smaller in size because of the flight cancelations and emergencies, but still purposeful. The Retreat seems to always recharge the cadre trainers, helping them become stronger advocates for the building of Read ▸ about Unleashing Greatness: A Journey to Body Confidence

Written by Allison Sabb-Glenn, Shine Light on Depression Ambassador, South Carolina Girls with Goals is a small group that meets every Tuesday during Advocacy time at Pelion Middle School (PMS) in Pelion South Carolina. Advisory is a daily block of time (30 minutes) that allows students to participate in clubs or make up any missing work. The club's mission is simple yet profound—to empower young girls and break free from the shackles of mental health stereotypes. Students in Pelion, Read ▸ about Pelion Middle School Empowerment Club- Girls with Goals

The 2021 Oregon Legislative Assembly, passed a House Bill that included the expectation each public school in the state must provide age-appropriate instruction in oral health to be included within the health education curriculum. As a result, we were hired to write a K-8 and High School skills-based health education oral health curriculum for the Healthy Teeth, Bright Futures Coalition, which is comprised of representatives from philanthropic organizations, health plans, the education Read ▸ about A New K-12 Oral Health Curriculum!

Author: Sterling Ta'Bon, Healthy Schools Manager As I prepared for Cairn Guidance’s Shine Light on Depression Ambassador Retreat, I reflected on our theme, “Illuminating the Light”. The opportunity to gather Ambassadors from across the country to one single location for one single purpose brought its special light. We are privileged to have Ambassadors representing the states of Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Kansas, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.The retreat was established to Read ▸ about R&R with Shine Light on Depression: Retreat and Recharge

Written by Allison Sabb-Glenn, Shine Light on Depression Ambassador, School Counselor, South Carolina This past school year, I met with my girl's group in South Carolina and we began the curriculum for Erika's Lighthouse on Mental Health. I met with 20 6th-grade girls to discuss the topic of Mental health and depression. We began by bringing in the school's Mental Health Counselor to discuss her role here at the school and the services she provides to the students. We then began with Read ▸ about Girls Empowerment Group

Cairn Guidance is excited to work on a new project with Shine Light on Depression to raise awareness around childhood and teen depression and suicide. Shine Light on Depression offers no-cost, key-turning resources to support the mental health of youth in both in-school and after-school settings.  2022 Shine Light on Depression Ambassadors As mental health advocates, Cairn Guidance hired and trained ambassadors who are “boots-on-the-ground” to further support the work with the Shine Read ▸ about Shine Light on Depression

By Liz Thorne, VP of Policy and ProgramsI had been anticipating the grand opening of Faubion K-8 School, in Portland Oregon, this Fall for both personal and professional reasons. Most importantly, it is our neighborhood school. My daughter will be starting kindergarten there next year. As someone who works in school health and public health, the opening of Faubion also embodies so many of the practices we know are effective in supporting the health and academic achievement of young Read ▸ about Making School the Heartbeat of the Community