Project ALMA (Awareness, Learning, Mental Health, Action)
Empowering immigrant youths with after-school mental health skill-building and resource sharing
Keywords: Mental health, immigration, health access, social-emotional learning
North Fair Oaks and Redwood City are local hubs of vibrant immigrant identities. However, many undocumented families live in constant fear, and limited resources lead to toxic living conditions - cramming up to five families in one housing unit. Current local and national events have heightened fears and uncertainties in this community.
I am developing Project ALMA -- meaning ""soul"" -- to provide accessible skill-building and safe resources for mental health among high-risk youths in these communities, jointly through the Schweitzer Fellowship and Levantar, a community site.
Skillset needs:
Would love any new students passionate about immigration and/or mental health and/or Spanish proficiency to help with the following aspects:
Curriculum development:
Identify and learn about existing resources (I have them!) for evidence-based mental health education activities
Based on need-based themes, piece together context-appropriate and fun activities for this young population
Identify icebreakers and fun games for bonding
Artistic/creative activities are helpful, background in these topics are also a plus
In-person education:
Show up to help run activities!
Trauma-informed training for team members
Evaluation:
Identify brief, quick, and meaningful questions to ask pre- and/or post-activity (low-key, no surveys due to context limitations)
Analyze data or synthesize qualitative information
Continuity:
Build infrastructure for continuing service over the long term (minimize the “in and out” rifts that academic partnerships cause)
e.g. start a club, apply for funding (SPIF?), etc
Contact: Ally Kim