Our Own Wellness Spaces

Play Equity to Advance Mental Health (sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative

With little to no access to consistent programming and mental health services, we seek to remove these barriers and provide the tools and resources for under-resourced schools to thrive. We understand that 17% of High School students nationwide had seriously considered suicide, which is the second leading cause of death for young adults. 44% BIPOC students in Los Angeles emphasized the desire for mental health resources. 55% of students 12-18 reported trauma from emotional abuse by a parent or other adult with 11% of students experiencing physical abuse. 12% of children ages 3 to 17 were reported as having ever experienced anxiety or depression.

The Our Own Wellness Space program is focused on engaging and providing access to mental health programming. The Wellness Spaces transform rooms into state of the art immersive spaces where education and design take center stage. Each individual space is dedicated to empowering students within under-resourced communities with a human centered design model. Our concept of remodeling unused classrooms is not only sustainable but meets the demands of educators and needs of their students, which includes programming, tutoring, physical fitness, and often overlooked...nutrition. Our programming engages students both during and after school. We support educators by leveraging the space, programming, and Our Own practitioners to assist in overall learning opportunities that improve mental acuity and academics. Through our wellness program, which builds mental acuity and emotional resilience of students, we are able to foster a well rounded individual with the SEL tools and resources needed to grow. Our spaces shift the paradigm, understanding that kids spend an average of 6-8 hours a day and almost 180 days per year in school...our approach can't be mediocre. Our programming is not just engaging but relatable and has a proven track record of success.

We firmly believe that you can't solve a problem with a single solution. Our approach to community is one that is multifaceted and aligns directly with the community we are trying to support. Both our individual and collective mental health is how we build healthier Los Angeles. We can not fully support a student with any resource if they are unable to utilize and take advantage of the opportunity. Through our wellness program, we are able to foster a well rounded individual with the SEL tools and resources needed to grow. This opens a world of possibilities for our students, which will allow them to take advantage of other post-secondary pathways we've created to empower their future. Our broader aspirations is to birth community over a generation that will understand how to navigate trauma, seize opportunities and use their lived experience to share community within the Our Own ecosystem and beyond. Better equipped students equals a better LA!

After the first year of programming, we have been able to see the positive impact the wellness space has had on the students. 80% of our students from programmed school reached the honor roll with a 3.5 GPA or higher. This is a 7% increase YTD vs. LY before programming was implemented. We have also seen a 20% increase in test scores. Improved school attendance. Based on a rough estimate, our schools have maintained high attendance throughout the school year. 85% of our senior class students with accepted offers to 4 year or 2 year colleges. Decreased behavior related incidents along with self-harm surrounding youth. Our partner schools averaged a student suspension and expulsion rate just below 6% pre programming and a rate of less than 1% after programming. Prior to wellness programming, 2 students committed suicided with 5 reported incidents of self-harm. Since the Fall of 2022, thankfully, no students have committed suicide and we have no reported incidents of self-harm.