Mental Health Resources 4 Underserved Communities

Happy October!  Thank you all for your continued support and for believing in the Yoga 4 Change mission.  The mission: Yoga 4 Change fosters holistic wellbeing, resilience, and transformation for individuals and communities through evidence-based trauma-informed curricula.

This report shares Yoga 4 Change key findings for the period from July 1, 2023, to September30, 2023. The data below indicate the average change for individuals’ self-ratings of stress, mood, and pain for adults. Outcomes compare ratings prior to class to ratings after class participation. To learn more about the work Yoga 4 Change is doing, visit the Research, Data & Evaluation page at www.y4c.org/impact. 

Overall Change 

Pre/Post Class  

For program adult participants, there was a significant increase in mood (p = .000), significant decrease in stress (p = .000). For adults, there was a significant decrease in pain (p < .001) after participation in class as compared to before.  

Adult Population Scale 

Average % Change 

Mood - 20% increase

Stress  - 30% decrease

Physical pain -19% decrease

Total adult participants from July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023 = 3,221 

(Figure based on # of adultstaught in each class. Adultswere counted each time they participated). 

Qualitative Shares from Individuals involved in the carceral system:

“Love it. I enjoy the class.” 

“Thank you! Class was amazing thank you so much” 

“Love this class want to be in all the time more active” 

“More meditation with the stretches I enjoy meditation” 

“Helped calm my thoughts” 

Links:

• https://www.y4c.org/impact

2023 has been filled with tons of community building, increased programming, board of directors growth and lots of yoga!  We are doing our best to get more yoga programs to more people across the state of Florida through consistent weekly classes, monthly classes and pop-ups. Below are some informational and inspiring links for you to check out including a news article on Yoga 4 Change classes at Pace Center for Girls Pasco County, consistent weekly yoga classes offered free to the community through a partnership with the City of Jacksonville and Jax Parks and a Yoga 4 Change Teacher story.

1. Yoga 4 Change at Pace Center for Girls

2. Free Yoga in Jacksonville

3. Yoga 4 Change Teacher Story

In addition, we are honored to announce the addition of four new members to our eight-person Board of Directors: 

• Bankole “Banks” Adebanjo has served in key senior leadership positions in the non-profit and education industries for the past 15 years, most recently serving as the Vice President of Programs for Special Olympics Florida. 
• Bradel Canfield has been a leader within the anti-human trafficking movement for more than five years, sharing her expertise nationally as a consultant to organizations working with trauma and individuals impacted by human trafficking. 
• Heather Schatz is the Senior Producer, Talk Shows for WJCT Public Media and also contributes to WJCTNews.org and Edible Northeast Florida magazine. She has received awards from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the Florida Association of Broadcasters, and the Florida Society of Professional Journalists. 
• Linsey Smith currently serves as the Chief Development and Marketing Officer for Special Olympics Florida, where she has worked for 10 years. Previously, she had a 13-year career in hospitality, overseeing the launch and management of several boutique hotels in South Beach, Miami. 

These four new members join current board members to strategize on how to achieve Yoga 4 Change’s vision to create a world where people impacted by trauma feel supported, connected, and empowered to live a health and joyful lives: 

• Dr. Kristopher Kaliebe is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of South Florida. He is a Distinguished Fellow and serves as co-chair of the Media Committee at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). 
• Semone Neuman has served in senior leadership capacities in Fortune 100 healthcare organizations for over 20 years, primarily focused on leading large-scale operations and technology teams. 
• Dabney Ware is an attorney with Foley & Lardner LLP, where she has practiced with the firm’s Labor & Employment Group for more than 20 years. 
• Anne White (Board Chair) has most recently served as the Chief Administrative Officer at Step Up For Students, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower parents to pursue and engage in the most appropriate learning options for their children. 

“Moving into our tenth year, we are focusing on recruiting members to strengthen the strategic vision and community impact,” said Yoga 4 Change Executive Director Michelle LeClair. “The diverse backgrounds, industries, and perspectives reflected in our Board of Directors, as well as their dedication and support, will aid us in effectively responding to evolving needs of the communities we serve.”

Thank you for your continued support!