The strongest of roots grow in the greatest of winds
MISSION:
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"The strongest of roots grow in the greatest of winds"
Project Smiles is created to financially aid adolescents struggling with mental health and trauma who, due to various circumstances, are not able to afford appropriate treatment. The logo, a tree with the sun rising above it, is based on the above quote, a mantra that was repeated after each yoga practice while I myself was in treatment. It is now manifested itself into my life in endless ways.
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Meant to inspire growth and resilience, the tree symbolizes reframing our hardships to be what gives us grit. Project Smiles empowers disadvantaged youth to persevere and find the strength in their struggle.
Find strength
in the
struggle
About
Project Smiles
We created Project Smiles to facilitate education about mental illness and to support those who suffer from mental illness and cannot get the help they need. According to the CDC, "nearly 1 in 5 children have a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder," and startling 80% of those children will not receive treatment. Project Smiles aims to raise money to support adolescents in need of care who, due to financial disadvantages and lack of insurance coverage, are unable to get treatment.
I named Project Smiles as such because there is nothing like seeing the first genuine smile on a child's face who has forced it for so long. The mantra, "the strongest roots grow in the greatest of winds," means that we are not defined by our struggles, but rather we are the strength that comes as a product of them. Project Smiles goal is to assist in making mental health care more accessible to those in need by raising money through our GoFundMe page, and ultimately spreading The Real Smile to those who have done without it for too long.
About Me
I, myself have had intense struggles with my mental health, and the biggest takeaway I want to share with the world is that I wish I had sought out help sooner. I was discharged from treatment and the experience sincerely changed my life path. Being a trauma survivor as well as having a history of depression and severe anxiety, my life’s trejectory was truly downhill. I finally reached out a hand for help, and thankfully that hand was answered with support and love. I want to help ensure that a hand will be readily available to everyone in need of care, no matter their socioeconomic status.
Questions or comments? Want to share YOUR story? Send us a message and we’ll get back to you ASAP
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