One student named Zach spoke with his Health Teacher shortly after he attended a UWDOR community partner mental health presentation to say, "The mental health presentation really helped me understand my depression and anxiety. Because we talked about the early warning signs, now I am able to understand how to figure out if my friends are going through something. I now see a therapist as I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I am now able to see the signs that I had when I was young. I can now tell people about it without feeling like they are going to judge me for having it. Due to the presentation, I was able to figure out what I was experiencing and get the help I needed. It definitely helped hearing someone else talk about their story and hear how they got through everything. I really enjoyed the presentation, and it made a difference for me!"

Aiden is a first-grader that attends an after-school program at one of our partner organizations. Aiden's grandmother describes him as a “neglected child.” Grandma has been raising him full-time due to his mother being absent. 

Before joining the program, Aiden did not know the letters of the alphabet and could not recognize his numbers. He struggled to complete his work and his grandmother was overwhelmed by his academic struggles. Aiden was at risk of repeating kindergarten according to his teacher. During the program, Aiden would use profanity and argue with other children. He had difficulty focusing on his assignments. In response, program staff implemented an incentive chart for Aiden’s homework completion. 

He completed 9 previously incomplete assignments and learned all of his letters and numbers!

Aiden can now read sight words and is growing more confident daily with his reading abilities. Aiden's social skills also improved dramatically and he is no longer at risk of repeating kindergarten.