The SEQ Hope Foundation's Passion Projects.
When I founded The SEQ HOPE Foundation, I did so with the intention of teaching youth how to become better Human Beings. In the process, I found myself helping adults learn the value of altruism and that work is a part of what the Foundation prides itself on today. We do a lot of great work across the country. While I rescue sex-trafficked teens from all over the country and provide prevention training all over the country, I am most proud of the work my foundation has done to teach emotional intelligence, eradicate hunger within homeless communities in California, heal American Indian communities from depression and suicide, and boost the self-esteem of teens in the LGBTQ teen community.
Emotional Intelligence Mentoring / Coaching for Youth & Young Adults
Each month, a youth & young adults join me in feeding my, 'friends without homes' in Los Angeles and surrounding cities. With fresh ingredients and love put into each meal, we serve hundreds each month. We also feed a family of 5 or more for 1 month, each month, providing groceries and fresh meals for a family in need.
Social Awareness involves empathy; we do not allow people to take pictures while participating in this project because we value our relationship with this community and we know first hand how difficult it can be to be to be patronized for a picture.
We do not condone trading social media praise for being in the moment of service. This is a great project for youth who are looking to do service work in the community.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death, behind unintentional injuries, for American Indian youth ages 15 to 25. The suicide rate for this age group is four times higher than the national average. Suicide is “a form of expression of the despair and hopelessness experienced by some Native youth.” You Are The Answer is a comprehensive program focused on self-love, self-esteem, and healthy coping mechanisms designed to help teens of any culture or socio-economic background thrive into early adulthood.
Since 2010, we've been mentoring teens in the LGBTQ across the country, for free. We provide free confidential one-on-one mentorships between a mentee and an LGBTQ mentor. This relationship provides an opportunity for the mentee to explore many issues regarding sexual orientation or gender identity in a safe, non-judgmental, supportive, and empowering environment.
We mentor on LGBTQ teens on the following:
Coming out
Overcoming internalized homophobia
Dating
Relationship skills
Multiple identities (e.g., intersection of sexual orientation and ethnic/racial identity, gender, religious/spiritual)
Religion and/or spirituality