The Benji Project’s LGBTQ+ Pride Camp Reunion has been selected as this year’s recipient of The Food Co-Op’s GROW Fund (Totaling $1485). Read about the camp reunion project and how The Benji Project is helping local teens and their families build capacity for stress management and emotional resilience.
https://www.foodcoop.coop/blog/2024/9/27/announcing-the-2024-grow-fund-selection
Read all about the MAAY project and the Rhody Parade Cat Puppet in this article by The Jefferson County Beacon. https://www.jeffcobeacon.com/all-news/youth-go-big-on-mental-health-awareness-with-giant-puppet
The Benji Project is operating as our own independent non-profit organization. Read the article in The Leader here.
Research has demonstrated that cultivating self-compassion—learning how to be kind and supportive to oneself—can act as a shield for teenagers against the negative impacts of social media, trauma, depression, and various other challenges. While self-compassion is not a magical solution, it can help alleviate some of the difficulties that adolescents encounter on a daily basis.
Keep reading this article by Dr. Karen Bluth for all the details, links and research:
https://www.mindful.org/how-self-compassion-can-improve-teen-mental-health/
We are grateful for this article in the Good Works special section of The Leader on November 16, 2022. The article talks about our namesake Benji Kenworthy, the roots of our organization, our work today, and how it has changed over the past 5 years. It’s rewarding to see our story and hard work featured in the local newspaper. We hope the story inspires more teens and local families to take advantage of the programs we offer.
Download our fall newsletter for news about our first LGBTQ+ summer camp program, our mindful parenting circle, the opening of our new office and Sips of the Season.
Download our spring newsletter for news about an organizational milestone reached, our summer camp program, and an exciting pilot for teens at Port Townsend’s OCEAN K-12 school.
In January and early February, The Benji Project worked with Brinnon’s 4-H After School Program to provide leadership training based in mindfulness and self-compassion. The middle school participants learned ways to manage stress and practice compassion for themselves and others and saw the value of those skills for leadership. Thank you to everyone with “The Brinnon Tryers” who helped make this happen! Check out page 1 of the 4-H newsletter below for further reflection on the program.
