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As I reflect on the 8 Week Wellness Program at Esperanza, I am filled with hope for the future of Black and Brown girls and their well-being. This past week, we wrapped up our 8-Week Wellness Program with a powerful community showcase, and the experience affirmed why this work matters so deeply.
The room was alive with pride and joy as the girls presented their projects, sharing creative ideas for improving their community’s well-being. From calming jars to breathing exercises, their displays reflected both their learning and their personal growth. Parents were engaged, and several mothers told me how much their daughters enjoyed the program, particularly the tools they learned to manage stress. “It’s made such a difference,” one mom said, and I could see it in her daughter’s bright, confident smile.
This is why I’m hopeful.
Black and Brown girls face unique challenges that can significantly impact their mental health. Research shows that they are disproportionately exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) like poverty, discrimination, family instability, and community violence. These experiences create higher levels of chronic stress, and without early intervention, this stress can escalate into deeper mental health challenges.
The Suicide Process Pyramid helps us understand how stress, if left unaddressed, can lead to devastating outcomes. It begins with stress, which, when not managed, can develop into mental health struggles like anxiety and depression. Over time, these challenges can give way to suicidal ideation - persistent thoughts about self-harm, and, in some cases, lead individuals to gather the means to act on those thoughts. The final, tragic step is suicide.
But here’s the good news: intervention works. When we teach girls how to recognize and manage stress early, we interrupt this progression. Programs like our 8-Week Wellness Program give Black and Brown girls the tools they need to pause, process, and respond to life’s challenges in healthy, empowering ways.
Our program isn’t just about managing stress in the moment - it’s about setting a foundation for lifelong well-being. The showcase was a testament to that. Seeing the girls proudly explain how they use deep breathing to calm down or painting to process their emotions showed me that these lessons are sticking. These skills don’t just help them now - they equip them to handle the inevitable stresses of the future.
And the impact extends beyond the girls. Parents left the showcase feeling hopeful too. One mother expressed how thankful she was to see her daughter learning ways to stay calm and manage her emotions. These ripple effects, on families, schools, and communities, are the reason we do this work.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to partner with more schools in Oakland this spring to bring this program to even more Black and Brown girls. Our goal is to create safe, supportive spaces where they can learn to thrive despite the challenges they face.
I’m hopeful because I see what can happen when we invest in the well-being of our girls. They’re smart, strong, and full of potential. With the right tools and support, they’re not just getting by - they’re growing and creating meaningful change for themselves and their communities. I’m so excited to see all the amazing things they’ll accomplish!