Best Starts for Kids Youth Healing Project
About this opportunity
At Best Starts we strive to share power with young leaders because we know young people are experts on the challenges and opportunities their communities face today. That’s why we’re excited to announce the Youth Healing Project RFP, which will directly fund young people to work on projects that aim to improve the mental health, healthy coping, harm reduction, connection, and well-being of young people.
Funding is flexible and can be used for staffing, youth stipends or incentives, technology, materials, and events. The funded projects will take place during the 2025 to 2026 school year.
Here are a few examples of projects young people from the first Youth Healing Project accomplished:
A podcast about young people’s experience with Sickle Cell Disease. (Listen to the In Our Blood podcast here.)
A coloring book for elementary school students that focused on identifying emotions and violence prevention. (Preview the NoExcuses Activity Book here!)
Graffiti, music, and art gatherings focused on creating connection and healing through artistic expression. (You can read more about SanArte on pg. 34 and 35 of the Best Starts for Kids 2022 Annual Report.)
A mental health and well-being group hosted on campus at a local high school, that offered healing to BIPOC students. (Read more about the Newcomer Club here!)
While the above examples can highlight the types of projects young people can propose, we encourage applicants to use their creativity, and not feel limited. More examples are featured in the full RFP here!