Heart-Centered Mindfulness Pilot Program

Mental health

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

My lived experience with grief, unresolved issues, mental overload, healing, grace, & mindfulness have helped inform the choices I am now making to care for myself each day. The most valuable thing I have learned and wish to share is that by adding heart-centric resources, an individual can begin to discover new ways to resolve issues. But many people do not have direct access to such resources and there are gaps even where people do have access. My own journey has included earning three certificates in the principles & practice of spiritual psychology (heart-centric psychology), I have written a book called gratitude and grace, and developed a product as a tool for the gentle opening of the heart. My understanding is there is a vast need for any and all resources to assist with the mental & emotional needs at this time. I am not a doctor and not offering medical advice. I feel called to create solutions to support organizations & individuals by providing inspirational teaching tools.

This initiative has multiple phases, all which can be completed within the time frame required by the grant. Phase One - Distribution Order 10,000 decks of my product Mindful Magic Playing Cards for the Heart-Centered Mindfulness Pilot Program. Distribute decks according to the plan below, ensuring that only organizations that understand the value of the product and want it, will receive it. Distribution Plan 5,000 decks to 100 charities in bundles of 50 decks. This will allow charities doing great work in multiple areas of focus and across many diverse communities. 2,500 decks to 100 other facilities in bundles of 25 decks. This will include hospitals, rehab facilities, therapy offices, and other types of supportive programs. 2,500 decks to 1,250 individuals and families in bundles of 2 decks, one to keep and one to give. Phase Two - Feedback and Research We will conduct research and collect feedback to understand the value of the program. This will be used for case studies which will inform a video series. Phase Three - Video Series 1
Storytelling is a powerful tool that allows people to learn and grow. We will use the feedback from Phase Two to develop a short series of videos focusing on a collection of life lessons to help impact more people. Phase Four - Video Series 2
With 52 messages on the cards, each one can be used as inspiration for an additional set of lessons, as short scenes, showing people how to improve something in their own life or help others.

People throughout LA County will be different because for many, they may go all day without seeing any positive or uplifting messages or inputs from their community or from the influential people around them. Imagine our elders who may feel removed from society, people recovering in hospitals and rehab facilities, people in areas where there is limited access to enriching resources, and many others who will all benefit from my pilot program. By giving a tool that is designed to directly assist people in a variety of ways, from simply playing cards and having a fun human interaction, to actually looking at the messages on the cards and using them as gateways to conversations you might not be able to have any other way, it will provide many pathways to learning, healing, growth, and integrate kindness throughout communities across LA. At scale, this would open doors to programs that don't even exist yet, where heart-centered mindfulness is being studied and practiced regularly.

This is a proposed initiative based on research that I’ve conducted throughout the 6-year development of my product. I will measure success by asking for feedback, engaging with the recipients, and conducting my own observational research to see how the initiative is helping. I will put together case studies from impact statements to share with you. All that I am proposing in this pilot program will be able to inform the creation of leading-edge programs to address a wide array of issues.