Healthy And Purposeful Play for Youth (H.A.P.P.Y) Program

Sponsorships are Welcomed!

We believe it is important that children are not only given opportunities to have fun while learning a new skill, but that they are educated on how our activities benefit them. They learn self-regulation, improve their cognitive functioning, and build social skills. Our desire is for them to become resilient, emotionally intelligent, and to practice daily habits that prevent or reduce stress. Our programs are trauma informed, rooted in education on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and implemented through a racial equity lens.

Our Healthy And Purposeful Play for Youth (H.A.P.P.Y.) Program exposes youth to various activities of learning, exploring, playing, and relaxing for a comprehensive approach to holistic health.

Mental Health Resources will be provided to all participants.

Building Our Future

Cost: FREE $30 Registration Fee

Registration Fees are waived thanks to our sponsors.

Location: P30, 3039 N. Post Rd, Indpls., IN, 46226

Dates: November 1, 2024- May 30, 2025

Frequency: Weekly

Sessions occur weekly on Fridays from 5:30-7:30pm with the following Exceptions:

  • weeks for African Dance (sessions occur on Thursdays from 6pm-8pm, on Jan 9, Jan 16, Jan 23, and Jan 30)

  • Day we go on Nature fieldtrip (session will be on Fri Mar 28, 2025 from 9am-1pm at Eagle Creek Park during Warren Central Township School’s spring break)

    • Transportation and Lunch will be provided

  • Closed the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years

Please check out our program calendar here

Our program will conclude with a Celebration Ceremony that will include dinner for families. During the Ceremony, both participants and 1 caregiver per family will be asked to complete a survey about the program; an Amazon gift card will be given to each person that completes a survey. Awards and certificates of completion will be provided. We will also do a therapeutic artistic activity with families (either canvas painting or making Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) inspired jewelry).

Tweenagers Need This.

This is a pivotal time in their lives.

They are figuring out who they are.

They are dealing with a lot of peer pressure.

They are experiencing hormonal changes that’s confusing to them.

Tweenagers Benefit From:

  • Journaling to encourage self-reflection, building a Self-Care Plan and identifying their support system .

  • Developing effective communication skills, practicing empathy and building emotional intelligence through positive social interactions.

  • Developing the ABC’s (Awareness, Boundaries, & Communication) for self identity and interpersonal relationships.

    • Each participant will be involved in discussions around bodily autonomy and healthy relationships.

    • Discussions will include healthy boundaries, self-awareness, self-reflection, healthy communication, relationship attachment styles, and escapism in relationships.

    • Guardians are encouraged to ask any questions for their own understanding and comfortability with content.

  • Practicing mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork to build coping skills.

  • Settling down and building concentration through Kemetic Yoga and Sound Healing.

  • Music therapy for creative expression and mind/body connection through dancing and playing instruments.

  • Art therapy for creative expression through crafting and painting.

  • Intellectual stimulation through reading, puzzles, and board games like chess to build mental agility.

  • Hiking in Nature while learning about grounding, forest bathing, and ways to care for our environment.

  • Nutrition education including gardening, herbalism, cooking demos, and preparing their own healthy snacks.

If you would like to support youth by covering their registration fees, please consider becoming a sponsor. Sponsorships can be general or child specific. Contact us directly to provide the details.

Program Leaders

  • Robin Coleman, RN-MPH, Founder

    Health Educator, PsychoSomatic Therapist, Spiritual and Emotional Wellness Coach

    Nurse Robin has 15 years experience serving vulnerable communities. She specializes in public health, maternal child health, Adverse Childhood Experiences (stress and trauma), and holistic health. Robin equips people with tools that develop the mind, body, and spirit. She teaches coping strategies through her health education platform, Nurse Robin Speaks™. She also provides Psychosomatic therapy through yoga, mindfulness, meditation, breathing, and sound healing with sauna through her Inner Alchemy Wellness Lab™.

  • Marci Grayson, LMHC, MAMFT

    Licensed Mental Health Counselor

    Marci serves as a Community Behavioral Health Therapist. Her experience includes dual diagnosis, addictions and Serious Mental Illness. Marci has done school based therapy, Behavioral Health Case Management, and led in management. She now provides alternative approaches including Hypnotherapy, Mediation, Energy Work as a Master Reiki Energy Therapist, & Intuitive Coaching. Marci is the Owner of Finally Be Coaching and the Finally Be Podcast.

  • Jiamia McCoy, BSW

    Wellness Practitioner, Physical and Intellectual Wellness Coach

    Jiamia earned her Bachelors in Social Work and is now pursuing a Masters in African American Studies and a J.D. at the IU McKinney School of Law. She has been a fierce advocate for building mental agility, food injustices and eliminating disparities for our most marginalized communities. Jiamia is also a gardener and health and wellness practitioner. She is the owner of The Fruity Yogi and of Jab of Juice, where she leads Yoga sessions as well as produces signature healthy juice products.

  • DeAnna Warren, BA, CCHW

    Creative Wellness and Therapuetic Art Life Coach

    DeAnna teaches behavioral modifications and life skills through therapeutic art life coaching. She is also an Independent Provider for the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction as well as a Certified Community Health Worker with The Indiana Community Health Workers Association, She truly believes in uplifting the community with love and compassion. DeAnna is the owner of Lifting In Love and Compassion, LLC (LILAC) & DeAnna’s Designs, LLC.

  • Megan Parker, BS

    Emotional and Spiritual Wellness Coach, Mindfulness & Meditation Coach

    Megan has a Bachelors of Science in Integrated Studies that focuses on Psychology and Business Management. She has an Advanced Certificate in Life Coaching received from The Academy of Modern Applied Psychology. Megan holds a certification as a Mediation Practitioner and a Master Level Mindfulness Practitioner. She specializes in self-regulation interventions, and has used them while mentoring teens at various nonprofits. Megan is the owner of Mindful Communication Solutions, LLC

  • Quinn Sholar, Percussionist

    Creative Wellness Coach

    Quinn has 40 years of experience playing the drums. This self-taught musician started drumming at the age of 5. He played with several bands before being exposed to formal training as a high school marching band student. Quinn found drumming to be a therapeutic outlet and effective coping mechanism for dealing with adversity. He partners with community organizations to support and empower at risk youth by teaching them drumming while sharing his testimony on how it gave him life skills that kept him from going down the wrong path. Quinn developed the Be Loved And Stay True (B.L.A.S.T.) Drumming Academy to save the lives of at risk youth.

  • Uzuri Asad, BA

    Dance Instructor, Creative Wellness Coach

    Uzuri graduated with a BA in English (pre-law). She also is a multi-hyphenate creative and keeper of sacred movement through choreography, poetry, and diverse artistic designs. As an artist, Uzuri manages to dance fluidly between genres to allow her voice of innovation space to breathe and evolve. Uzuri is the Founder of the African dance company, Ijo Movement and Cultural Institute.

  • Mischa Gaddis, RN, CLC, Doula

    Social and Relationship Wellness Coach

    Mischa has been serving the public for 7 years as a Maternal Child Health Public Health Nurse, Certified Mental Health 1st Aid Interventionist, Certified Doula, Childbirth Educator, and a Certified Lactation Counselor. She has a drive for empowering families to have supportive and meaningful relationships. Mischa specializes in coaching individuals to use trauma informed responses in their family dynamics, intimate partner relationships, and social circles. Mischa is the owner of Nest Company, LLC.