Imagine a community where every child, teacher, and family has the practices to manage stress, build resilience, and foster emotional well-being.
Picture classrooms filled with students and teachers who feel empowered and supported, families equipped with the skills to navigate life’s challenges, and more individuals nurturing their emotional well-being with the same ease and confidence as their physical health.
Thanks to donors like you, what started as a grassroots effort in 2010 has blossomed into a transformative force that has helped thousands of children and caregivers across the Cape and beyond. Through powerful collaborations, we’ve brought mindfulness and resilience-building practices to schools and organizations across the Cape and beyond. Our programs are grounded in research, backed by data, and making a real, measurable difference in people’s lives.
Today, the need for our services is more urgent than ever before. Mental health challenges are the leading cause of death among 3-17 year-olds. In a recent Gallup poll, 85% of teachers surveyed reported their jobs as unsustainable and 75% of teachers reported having stress-related health problems. And while the need has increased, funding for mental health has decreased. As schools continue to grapple with restrictive budgets, countless students and teachers are denied the opportunity to learn critical skills that support mental well-being, resilience, and focus.
The intensity of our polarized political climate further compounds the mental health crisis. It seeps into our daily lives, impacting relationships, classrooms, workplaces, and the sense of safety and connection that we all need to thrive. This heightened tension and sense of uncertainty puts a strain on mental health, leaving people feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and helpless.
We believe that integrating mindfulness practices into school cultures is key to making mental health support accessible, stigma-free, and part of everyday life. By working with schools, we aim to create environments where mindfulness isn’t a separate, specialized practice, but a natural part of each student’s routine. When mindfulness and emotional well-being are embraced as essential life skills, they become normal aspects of daily life for students, teachers, and staff. This cultural shift can make it easier for everyone to access these tools without judgment, building healthier school communities.
But only with your continued support can we make this vision a reality. Would you please consider a year-end donation to Calmer Choice? Your tax-deductible gift will help us create resilient, compassionate communities where every individual has the capacity to thrive. You can help us ensure that more people get the help they need and shift the way we think about mental health.
Thank you for standing by us, and for believing in the power of our work.
With deep gratitude,
Sarah Manion, Executive Director • Sara Anton, Director of Philanthropy