RECAP: A Year with the Self Love Club at H.O.P.E. Campus

When I founded Self Love Club (SLC), it was built on a single, powerful belief: that self-care and mental wellbeing shouldn't be a luxury—they should be accessible life skills. This past year, we had the incredible honor of bringing that mission to life through a year-long partnership with The Centers’ H.O.P.E. Campus.

As I look back on 2025, "full circle" is the only way to describe it.

The Heart Behind the Mission

This work isn't just professional for me; it’s deeply personal. I grew up in the very same neighborhood where many of the H.O.P.E. Campus youth live today. At 16, I made the heartbreaking decision to drop out of high school. It wasn't because I lacked ambition—it was because I was drowning in mental health challenges that I didn't have the words to describe or the resources to manage.

Coming back to this community a decade later to provide the exact tools I lacked at their age has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.

Taking Learning Beyond the Walls

One of our core goals this year was to show our youth that healing happens everywhere. We didn't just stay in the classroom; we took our journey into the city.

• Rid-All Green Partnership: We visited the farm to discuss community healing through sustainability. Seeing the youth connect with the earth reminded us all that growth requires the right environment.

• Cleveland Botanical Gardens: We explored the nature of healing through art and greenery. These outings provided the youth with tangible resources for emotional regulation, proving that nature is a powerful pillar of mental health.

  
  

From Defensive Reactions to Healthy Boundaries

Throughout the year, our workshops covered everything from "The Science of Thankfulness" to our deeply requested session on "Boundary Building."

The most rewarding part of this program hasn't been the curriculum itself, but the behavioral shifts we’ve witnessed. We watched as participants transitioned from defensive survival mechanisms—like "ghosting" or lashing out—to proactive, healthy communication.

By the end of the year, we weren't just the facilitators; the youth were the leaders. In our final sessions, participants volunteered to lead discussions on goal setting and resilience, using "I" statements and SMART goals to plan their 2026. Their emotional literacy has become exceptionally advanced, moving from "guessing" their feelings to accurately identifying and managing them.

A Message of Gratitude

This impact wouldn't have been possible without the visionary leadership at The Centers. A heartfelt thank you to the Executive Director and Dr. James Caringi for believing in the Self Love Club. Thank you for recognizing that lived experience, when paired with evidence-based Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), creates a unique sanctuary for growth.

What’s Next?

As we step into 2026, the feedback from our youth is clear: they want more. They are hungry for future-focused goal setting, mentorship, and deeper self-mastery.

To the 16-year-old me who felt lost: We made it back. And this time, we brought the resources with us.

Stay tuned as we continue to grow, heal, and lead in the new year. Together, we are proving that self-love is the ultimate form of resilience.