You Matter: Youth Day – July 26 | Ages 12–18 | Workshops, Stories & Healing | Register Today!
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Youth Empowerment Day Prioritizes Mental Health in the South Suburbs
The One Purpose Love Foundation hosted its Youth Mental Health Empowerment Day on July 26, providing South Suburban youth ages 12–18 with tools for resilience, coping, and self-expression. Supported by IDPH, the event featured interactive workshops and community collaboration to prioritize youth mental wellness.
First Annual You Matter: Youth Empowerment Day Brings and Joy
On July 26, 2025, the One Purpose Love Foundation hosted its first You Matter: Youth Empowerment Day in the South Suburbs, engaging youth ages 12–18 in storytelling, coping skills, and confidence-building workshops. The day featured interactive sessions, games, music, and community celebration, leaving participants empowered and connected through a shared focus on mental wellness.
Impact Story
Youth Empowerment Workshops
You Matter: Youth Empowerment Day features dynamic, youth-centered workshops that build confidence, emotional resilience, and peer connection. All sessions support core Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies, including self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, responsible decision-making, and social awareness.
You Matter: Seeing Yourself
This session focuses on building self-esteem and identity awareness. Youth explore what makes them unique and valuable through reflection and affirmations.
SEL Focus: Self-Awareness, Self-Management
How to Catch a Thought
Youth learn how to identify and redirect negative thoughts through journaling, mindfulness, and reframing techniques.
SEL Focus: Self-Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making
Journalism for Joy
Participants use storytelling and writing to express emotions, document experiences, and build a sense of agency.
SEL Focus: Self-Expression, Relationship Skills
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
This workshop encourages help-seeking behavior and teaches how to recognize when and how to ask for support from trusted adults and peers.
SEL Focus: Self-Management, Relationship Skills
My Safe Space
Youth create and visualize safe emotional and physical spaces using grounding techniques and visualization tools.
SEL Focus: Self-Awareness, Self-Management
Social Media & Mental Health
A discussion-based session on how social media impacts self-worth, emotional health, and mental boundaries. Youth learn healthy digital habits and how to set limits.
SEL Focus: Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Awareness
Coping Kits
Participants build personalized toolkits that include tangible coping aids like fidget tools, affirmations, calming exercises, and more.
SEL Focus: Self-Management, Self-Awareness
Feelings Aren’t Weakness (Teen Panel)
A teen-led panel normalizing emotional expression and resilience. Youth share experiences and engage in open discussion about mental health.
SEL Focus: Social Awareness, Relationship Skills
Art Expression Corner
Facilitated by Lydia Wooden, this open art space allows youth to express feelings through visual art, painting, and mixed media. It’s a low-pressure environment for self-reflection and creativity.
SEL Focus: Self-Expression, Emotional Regulation, Self-Awareness
Mind Over Matter Games
An interactive, movement-based session designed to reinforce lessons from all workshops through reflection games, group challenges, and skill-building activities. Youth engage in creative exercises that promote focus, emotional regulation, communication, and teamwork — while actively applying what they’ve learned throughout the day.
SEL Focus: Self-Management, Responsible Decision-Making, Relationship Skills, Self-Awareness
