School-Based Services
A Thousand Joys provides trauma-informed, resilience-focused services to school communities. ATJ’s programs include services for educators as well as for students and parents. We build coping and self-regulation skills in students and parents, while helping educators to create more trauma-informed learning environments that support students’ resilience and their own wellbeing.Educators
Our trauma-informed, resilience-focused professional development programs provide a foundational understanding of trauma with a focus on building educators’ capacity to develop resilience in their students. Via workshops, coaching and leadership consultation, educators develop a range of strategies to use with students while strengthening their own resilience. All professional development activities focus on developing key capacities that promote resilience, including the abilities to self-reflect, calm oneself, and to foster strong relationships with others.“I became much more aware of how my own emotions impact the students, and in turn have developed much more empathic relationships with students.”
Students
Our student program empowers students and enhances their ability to cope with stress and trauma in constructive, rather than destructive, ways. An ATJ facilitator visits selected classrooms weekly to teach the anchor lessons in ATJ’s Transform curriculum, available in 12- or 40-week formats. Classroom teachers observe these lessons and supplement them by leading quick daily exercises to reinforce key concepts and techniques. The sessions provide students with concrete tools that help them manage their emotions and daily stressors using yoga, mindfulness, creating self-care plans and other reflective practices.At a charter middle school, 98% of students said they are better able to deal with stress.
At an LAUSD district elementary school, 91% learned how to calm their bodies and minds.
Parents
ATJ’s four-part parenting workshop series provides parents with an understanding of the impact that trauma and high stress have on development, parenting, and their own wellbeing. Parents build wellness and self-care skills via interactive mindfulness and yoga techniques, and create their own self-care plans. Sessions for parents can be provided in English or Spanish.At our most recent parent workshop series, 100% of participants reported they would recommend the workshops to others and 100% rated the series as excellent or good.
Leadership Consultation & Extended Services
We consult with school leaders to provide services that best match your school’s needs. By integrating programs for educators, students and/or parents, we are able to customize trauma-informed, resilience-focused programs for each school. Our facilitators are also available to serve as valuable resources for school leaders by serving as thought partners and contributing their clinical expertise to implementation support, problem-solving and strategic planning.School Partners (Selected)
Since 2011, ATJ has worked in partnership with schools across Los Angeles County including:- Sally Ride Elementary School, South Los Angeles
- Gabriella Charter Schools, Echo Park & South Los Angeles
- Environmental Charter Middle School, Inglewood
- Grape Street Elementary School, Watts
- Citizens of the World Middle School, Silver Lake
- Immaculate Conception School, Downtown West/Pico Union
- North Valley Military Institute, Sun Valley
- New Designs Charter Schools, Watts & University Park
- New Heights Charter School, South Los Angeles
- Good Shepherd Shelter (school located at a domestic violence shelter)