Check our our Spring 2025 programming!

Maywood nonprofit

Art Therapy

Last night we held an art therapy workshop for our community members. Dana of Paint on Purpose, led our community members through a cactus painting to symbolize growth and healing. We talked, listened, and painted about daily activities and memories. Although Dana gave out different colors, participants used their creativity to create beautiful paintings. Thank you Dana for the bonding experience you created and to our participants for showing up for our community.

Community Yoga | March 4th

Hey friends! Last Saturday we held our first yoga session for our community. We had mentees and community members join us for beginner yoga with Kathy Khang. Our intention for yoga for the community is to provide a safe space to stretch and relax your body, but also to just take a break and let that long sigh out. Kathy first led us through a couple of basic stretches and then went into a sequence of movements that helped with getting in touch with our body. After, we slowed down and went into self-reflecting poses.

Of course, thank you Kathy for leading us through a great first community yoga session. Our next yoga event will be Saturday, April 1st, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you there!

Group Therapy | Session 1

On Saturday morning, TFD in partnership with Yo Soy Ella, hosted group therapy. Sarah, our host and Founder of Yo Soy Ella, discussed what worth means to our participants. Sarah first led the group through check-in to start our conversation off. Sarah told us she likes to open up the session first with check-ins because sometimes we need to talk without a plan while Sarah is here to listen and ask questions. When the discussion of worth began, Sarah asked what does worth mean and how have you been able to exercise self-worth.

Thank you so much to Sarah and Yo Soy Ella for hosting a wonderful session. We look forward to our next session Wednesday, January 25 at 10:00 AM. Sign up here for our next session!

Yoga and Journaling | Session 1

PC: Maya Hill

In 2023, we are starting off the new year with several mental health workshops! Last Saturday, we held out first yoga and journaling session with Kathy Khang, a local yoga instructor. For these sessions, we wanted people to feel as safe and welcomed as possible. In turn, these sessions will be free to community members and their own guests.

First, Kathy led the group through a short breath work cycle to ease their minds. Then, she started with the journaling session. Kathy asked the group to write out what it means to belong in their opinion. After some shared their thoughts, they immediately went into gentle yoga. Their stretches included happy baby, downward dog, and child pose. No experience with yoga was needed for these simple and gentle poses!

Our guests explained they felt immediately better after the stretches. One of our past mentees explained that he had been experiencing back pain and after, he felt a lot of the pain was eliminated.

Thank you so much to our guests for coming and to Kathy for leading us through an amazing first session, Make sure to register for our next session on Saturday, January 28th at 10 AM!

Mental Health Stories

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

To normalize the topic of mental health, we gathered a few inspirational stories from local young adults who wanted to share their mental health journey! Each person has their own beautiful and unique story. Simply sharing what we have been through and how we process it can impact those around us more than we know. It is important that mental health is talked about and that people know they are never alone!

We hope you enjoy and find comfort in the stories shared!

1. Jamia Perteet

Jamia was a Spring ‘22 Mentee. Click above to read her story about accepting herself and learning about self-importance!

Photo Credit: Mariah | Spring ‘21 Mentee


Tracy was a Spring ‘22 mentee. Click above to view his story about overcoming his struggles and never giving up!

Photo Credit: Mya Rose | Summer ‘21 Mentee


Kevyn was a Summer ‘21 Mentee. Click above to read about his story of self-discovery!

Photo Credit: Mya Rose | Summer ‘21 Mentee


Mya was a Summer ‘21 Mentee. Click above to view her story about discovering the importance of the small moments in life!

Photo Credit: Suha | Summer 21’ Mentee


Saffron was a Summer ‘21 Mentee. Click above to view her story about embracing herself!

Photo Credit: Jasmyn | Summer ‘21 Mentee


Amie was a Fall ‘21 Mentee. Click above to read more about her impactful story of working hard and learning to let go!

Photo Credit: Dulce | Fall 21’ Mentee