Fall 2019 Newsletter

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The Circle of Community -
a word from our Founder, Cynthia Osterman
I’m so grateful for our strong community.  We share a commitment to quality of life, caring, and volunteerism, and I see evidence daily. This heart beats at Port Townsend High School where administrators see firsthand the challenges of adolescence and are inspired to seek innovative solutions. Read on for details of The Benji Project’s upcoming program at PTHS. Also know that you complete this circle. Our donors, supporters, and volunteers make this work possible. Thank you for supporting youth in our community.
Port Townsend Kiwanis awarded The Benji Project its Everyday Hero Award at a ceremony in August recognizing our work in the community.
Port Townsend High School Offers The Benji Project Program
About 240 students in 9th and 10th grade at Port Townsend High School will learn tools to manage stress and navigate the emotional ups and downs of adolescence through The Benji Project. The five-session program will feature highlights of our “Making Friends with Yourself” curriculum on mindfulness and self-compassion.  Led by Teresa Shiraishi and Heather McRae-Woolf of The Benji Project, the classes take place during health or English periods this fall. PTHS administrators and teachers have been instrumental in bringing this opportunity to the high school, and The Benji Project thanks donors including Rotary and Kiwanis for financial support that makes this program possible.



Benji Camp Wins Rave Reviews from Middle School Youth
“Let more teens know about this camp because they need this,” one participant in Benji Camp said in a program feedback survey.  The four-day summer camp in August served 18 youth ages 11 to 14 including a session for boys for the first time. Campers did art projects, games, yoga, and had a hot dog roast and ice cream sundae party while learning practices to support their emotional well-being.
Interview with our Founder on KPTZ
Cynthia Osterman, founder of The Benji Project, was interviewed by on the KPTZ Compass radio show by host Charlie Bermant about the challenges facing youth in our community and The Benji Project’s mission. Listen here. 
Back-to-school Mental Wellness Checklist
The back-to-school season is exciting and sometimes overwhelming for kids and families. Here’s a checklist of tips on how to support the well-being of your child drawn from resources of JED Foundation and YourMomCares.
  • Help your child develop a self-care plan – Review with her which activities and practices make her feel happy and relaxed, and encourage her to do these whenever she feels down or overwhelmed. Also discuss healthy habits such as eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising.
  • Support your child in developing healthy stress management techniques – Explore the differences between healthy and unhealthy coping. The Benji Project’s program teaches a toolkit of positive coping techniques.
  • Motivate your child to develop personal goals – Discuss where she sees herself at the end of the semester or year, and make a plan to achieve those goals.
  • Assist your child to stay socially connected - Encourage him to participate in extracurricular activities and get involved.
  • Help your child create conflict management strategies   - Talk about likely scenarios and ways to handle them.
  • Foster positive ways to express feelings – Discuss different emotions and how to recognize and communicate them. Be open with your children about your own emotions.
  • Make sure your child knows where to go for help with emotional stress – Ensure your child knows about mental health and other resources at school and in the community as well as other adults they can trust.
  • Teach your child how to build resilience around setbacks – Help your kids learn how to put setbacks into perspective, whether around academics, sports, or another part of their life. 
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LAUNCH Emotional Success for Graduates: New 2-Hour Training

The Benji Project will offer a new training called LAUNCH: Your Emotional Success Toolkit.

High school graduation is a transition. Prepare emotionally for your next phase whether you're off to college, moving away from home, or starting work. Hear about common experiences, learn to support your well-being, and set yourself up for success.

Who: High school graduates, new and returning college students

When: Sunday, August 11, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Masonic Lodge, 1360 Jefferson St., Port Townsend

Cost: By donation, registration required.
Suggested donation $25. No one turned away. .

Save Your Spot

New Classes Start in April

  • Register now for Mindful Parenting weekend workshop - April 13-14

  • High school teen classes start April 15 in Chimacum, Port Townsend

  • Applications available for scholarship to train as an instructor

 

8-Week Classes in Chimacum, Port Townsend for High School Students: Sign up by April 8

What: Making Friends with Yourself - Stress Management and Emotional Resilience Skills
When: 8 weeks on Mondays, April 15 to June 10 (No class on Memorial Day)
Chimacum – 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Port Townsend - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m
Who: High school students
Where:
Chimacum - Chimacum Grange, 9572 Rhody Drive
Port Townsend - YMCA, lower level classroom, 1925 Blaine Street, Mountain View Commons
Registration deadline: April 8
Cost: $225 standard registration; sliding scale and scholarships available; No teen turned away for financial reasons

This program offered in partnership with Jefferson County YMCA

Adolescence is a time of change and growth, the period of life reserved for rebellion and self-discovery! But as the demands in life increase for teens, they often experience more stress. Teen years can include anxiety and other strong emotional ups and downs.

For many teens these challenges lead to feelings of disconnection or isolation at times. “Making Friends with Yourself” is designed to reduce stress, and increase the sense of feeling relaxed and in control. Through practices and exercises developed just for teens, they will have an opportunity to learn how to navigate the emotional ups and downs of life with greater ease. This class is for high-school age males, females, and other gender identities.

If you would like to experience less stress, then this course is worth checking out. In research studies this program demonstrated a significant decrease in stress, anxiety and negative mood. This curriculum was adapted from the adult Mindful Self-Compassion created by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, and has been endorsed by Neff and Germer.

The class will be taught by experienced instructors Blair Carleton and Macy Ratliff. Learn more about them and the class.

 Parenting with Mindful Self-Compassion

When: April 13 and 14, 9:30 to 4:30 with lunch break
Where: Jefferson Community School, 280 Quincy St., Port Townsend
Who: Parents, guardians, therapists and other adults who live or work with youth
Registration Deadline: April 6
Cost: $200 standard registration; sliding scale and scholarships available. Reduced fee for second parent/caregiver from the same family.No one turned away. $35 for CEUs.
Learn how to develop a warm-hearted connected presence, even during challenging moments with your child. Mindful self-compassion for parents cultivates emotional strength and resilience. Develop skills to care for your children while caring for yourself.
Suitable for parents of any age child, the program will include information on coping when things go wrong and the developing teen brain.
Taught by Lorraine Hobbs, youth and family programs director of the University of California San Diego Center for Mindfulness, this class is also suitable for therapists and other adults who work with youth. Continuing education credits available for social workers and licensed mental health counselors for an additional $35 fee.
Research shows self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional well-being, more satisfying relationships, reduced anxiety and depression as well as healthy habits such as diet and exercise.

 

Sign Up

 

Apply Now to Teach
Mindfulness to Teens

The Benji Project is offering scholarship opportunities to local individuals who want to train to teach our curriculum of mindfulness and self-compassion to teenagers.

The scholarship is valued at up to $5,000, and applications are due April 19.

Read more and download an application here.

We encourage a diverse candidate pool including males, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, the disabled, and minorities.  A background working with youth in an education, healthcare, or other group setting is desired as well as a personal mindfulness practice.

Please let your network know about this opportunity. Email cynthia@thebenjiproject.org if you have questions.

 

Learn More

Save the Date (s)!

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Upcoming Events


Mark on your calendar these upcoming events, and see below for more details.

  • Port Townsend Rotary gala with fund-a-case for The Benji Project - March 30

  • Mindful Parenting weekend workshop - April 13 and 14

  • Scholarship opportunity launching soon

  • Teen summer camp August 12-15

A Very Important Date!

Don't be late for this very important date as Port Townsend Rotary Club holds "The Mad Hatter" celebration with The Benji Project as the fund-a-cause. This dinner with auction takes place Saturday, March 30, at 5:30 p.m. at Fort Worden Commons in Port Townsend. Enjoy a fabulous evening and support Rotary's good works. Get tickets here.

Mindful Parenting Weekend Workshop
April 13-14

The Benji Project will offer "Mindful Parenting," a weekend workshop on April 13 and 14 at Jefferson Community School, 280 Quincy St., Port Townsend led by Lorraine Hobbs of University of California San Diego's Center for Mindfulness.

Learn how to develop a warm-hearted connected presence, even during challenging moments with your child. Mindful self-compassion for parents cultivates emotional strength and resilience. Develop skills to care for your children while caring for yourself.

Research shows self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional well-being, more satisfying relationships, reduced anxiety and depression as well as healthy habits such as diet and exercise.

Suitable for parents of any age child, the program will include information on coping when things go wrong and the developing teen brain.

Cost is $200 per participant with sliding scale starting at $100. Discount for second parent/caregiver from the same famiily and further scholarships available based on financial need. 

Watch for another e-mail announcement when registration opens on our website.

Scholarship Launching Soon

The Benji Project will again this spring offer scholarship opportunities to local individuals who want to train to teach our curriculum of mindfulness and self-compassion to teenagers.

The scholarship is valued at up to $5,000.

Details including an application form and deadline will be announced by email and on our website when dates are finalized.

We encourage a diverse candidate pool including males, members of the LGBTQ community, veterans, the disabled, and minorities.  A background working with youth in an education, healthcare, or other group setting is desired as well as a personal mindfulness practice.

Please let your network know about this opportunity. Email cynthia@thebenjiproject.org if you have questions.

Summer Camp - Aug 12-15


The Benji Project will hold a summer camp for teens Aug 12 to 15 at the Port Townsend Scout Cabin. Last year's camp had a waiting list, so early registration is advised. Watch for sign-up  details this spring.

Fundraiser set for Dec. 14; Scholarship winners chosen; Video debuts

A Night of Comedy to Benefit Our Programs

On Dec. 14, join us for a night of comedy, champagne and dessert to benefit The Benji Project featuring Key City Public Theater’s production of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told.”  Instead of rehashing a holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told in this madcap romp through the holiday season!

Tickets are $65 including dessert, champagne and holiday magic. Buy yours here.  

Volunteers are also needed to bake desserts and work the house. If you can help, please sign up here.

Winners of Teacher Training Scholarships

Scholarships valued at $5,000 each have been awarded to Teresa Shiraishi and Heather McRae-Woolf to train to become teachers of our programs. Special thanks to the Fund for Women and Girls for underwriting one of the scholarships.

Teresa, a counselor at Dove House, and Heather, an educator, were chosen from a highly competitive field of applicants. The two winners are embarking on their training, which should finish in 2019. Congratulations!

Watch Our New Video

Drumroll please for the debut of a video about our program, produced by award-winning filmmaker, Jessica Plumb.

Teens Learn Stress Management; Boys Need Sponsor

2018 has been an active year for our programs which served more than 60 area youth. Highlights include our four-day summer camp for girls ages 11 to 19 which. The Benji Project also offered two 8-week classes for high school students, including a girls program supported by the Fund for Women and Girls. 

Reunion/refresher programs are scheduled Nov. 17.  We are fundraising for 2019 programs and are especially seeking sponsors for boys programs.

Are you part of an organization or charity that wants to support boys? We are seeking a partner to step up and make sure boys have access to stress management and emotional resilience skills.  Please get in touch.

Participants and staff of Benji Camp in June.

Participants and staff of Benji Camp in June.

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Donor Honor Roll

Deepest thanks to major donors in the second half of the year including Chad’s Legacy Project, Jefferson Healthcare, Ellen Ferguson, Port Townsend Kiwanis, Thomson Reuters, and Bruce R. McCaw and Jolene M. McCaw Donor Advised Fund at United Way of King County.

Gratitude to other generous donors including: Sueleka Matthews, Geroge D Eseveldt, Mary Wilson, Aimee Boulanger, David Beal, Christopher Boyd, Helen Brink, Margery Helander, Donna Eldridge, Larry Dunbar, Beth Ross, Sharon Hoyer, Calah Tenney, Tina McLeese, Joe Cunningham.

If you want to support our teen programs, make your donation here.