Exciting events are coming your way this next month and we hope you can join us.

CARE Coalition Meeting, February 23 @ 11:30 am-1:00 pm

Join us in a few weeks at the Tolleson Unified High School District Office (9801 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, AZ 85353) for our third coalition meeting of the year. We will have Bloom365 joining us as our agency spotlight, and their mission is “…to remove the barriers to help and prevent abuse before it starts to increase safety, healing, and well-being for this generation of youth and the next. BLOOM365’s mission is to prevent abuse BEFORE it starts.”  Did we mention there will be lunch? And it’s free! Join us to give your voice, meet different agency representatives, and learn about our changes in the West Valley.

CARE Conference: Empowering Communities and Inspiring Youth, March 1 @ 8:00-2:30

Join us for our 5th annual CARE Conference at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa (9495 W Coyotes Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85305) for all caregivers, community members, school administrators, and youth-serving professionals.

Embark on a transformative journey with us as we strive to establish an inclusive and dynamic platform. This platform aims to bring together caregivers, community members, school administrators, and professionals dedicated to youth services. Together, we will address the distinctive needs, challenges, and opportunities that young individuals encounter daily. Our goal is to equip attendees with the necessary tools to nurture community resilience and enhance the health and well-being of adolescents in their respective communities. Participants will actively engage in workshops focusing on best practices for youth, community enhancement, wellness, and innovative approaches to building resilience. Furthermore, attendees will have opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and converse with speakers and community exhibitors. We envision that this experience will inspire attendees to make a positive change in their communities.

Follow this link https://carecoalitionaz.org/events/ to register for both events today!

Now, let’s talk about mindfulness for youth!

I am sure you have experienced stress, but have you ever learned to de-stress? Or have you considered that youth are also experiencing stress? All ages experience stress, including youth, who experience different reasons for stress today. The adolescent stage can become very stressful as youth are experiencing changes like physical, emotional, mental, social, environmental, and more. Examples include growing and their bodies developing, changes in friendships, and developing critical thinking skills. So, how can we address stress? By de-stressing! De-stressing is the feeling of removing stress and relaxing, and it can be a relief to remove stress. It is essential for your overall well-being; continuing to carry stress can harm your health. The solution that can help decrease the amount of stress youth are going through can be a mindfulness practice, but before we go into that, it’s essential to know what possible stressors youth are experiencing. 

What possible stressors are youth experiencing?

What is Mindfulness, and how can I Practice it?

Mindfulness is the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to the unfolding of experience. Mindfulness practice can include meditation, body scanning, focusing on breathing, observing thoughts and feelings, moving around, and much more.

Skills that can improve by practicing mindfulness: 

What are the possible benefits of practicing mindfulness?

How often should mindfulness be practiced? 

Mindfulness practice should be done daily and by following with or without guidance. All mindfulness practice activities can vary by time, but your youth must put time aside daily to practice.

Why should I encourage youth to practice mindfulness?

Mindfulness can be incredibly beneficial for reducing stress overall. Youth who practice mindfulness will experience more significant benefits that can help strengthen their ability to cope with stress—again, leading them to experience a decreased chance of developing anxiety and depression. Mindfulness will teach them to be in the moment, non-judgmentally, and build self-compassion and empathy, which could help increase their self-esteem.

How can youth start practicing mindfulness?

Establishing mindfulness practice each day can help reduce the stress we all experience daily. Teaching your child about mindfulness will help set them up to continue practicing mindfulness into adulthood and help them reduce the stress/anxiety they may face in the future. Youth can start practicing mindfulness by visiting the CARE coalition website at https://carecoalitionaz.org/cares-soothing-place/. The website has a special soothing place section for ages 0 to adults to get resources on mindfulness practice, coping skills, and wellness skills. Resources on the CARE soothing place can also teach you how to practice mindfulness with your child.    

Here’s how YOU can be a Prevention Partner:

• Share this information with your youth and other families
• Visit the CARE Soothing Place on the CARE website to review mindfulness.
• Start helping your youth practice mindfulness.
• Remember to practice mindfulness for yourself.
• Continue to visit and support the CARE website.
• Register to join our listserv for more upcoming events and blogs!