Youth & Family Programming

The Connection Hour for Young People

Young people have an opportunity to build practical skills early — before the demands of school, relationships, and adulthood increase.

Why It Matters

Building Skills Early

Young people face real pressures — at school, at home, in relationships, and increasingly online. The demands of adolescence and the transition toward adulthood create conditions where stress, miscommunication, and unhealthy patterns can take hold before young people have the skills to navigate them.

The Connection Hour gives young people a space to talk through real-life situations and practice skills they can actually use — in an honest, guided conversation facilitated by Sarah Livingstone, MSW.

This is not therapy. It is practical, discussion-based skill-building — and it meets young people where they are.

Building communication, coping, and life skills early — before unhealthy patterns become harder to change.

  • Discussion-based, not lecture-based
  • Appropriate for grades 6–12
  • Sessions for youth only, parents/guardians only, or jointly
  • Virtual delivery
  • Facilitated with care for developmental stage
  • Not therapy — practical skill-building
What Young People Practice

Practical Skills for Real Life

Topics are drawn from the full Connection Hour curriculum and adapted to fit the age, needs, and context of the young people in the room. The conversation is always guided in a way that is respectful, relevant, and developmentally appropriate.

Burnout: Recognizing It & Recovering

Recognizing how burnout builds and developing practical tools for managing it.

Managing Stress While Growing Up

Learning how to manage a fast-paced life while growing up.

Navigating Conflict

Practical skills for handling disagreement in friendships, family relationships, and school settings — without shutting down or escalating.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Understanding personal limits, learning to communicate them, and recognizing when boundaries are being pushed or crossed.

Building Resilience

Building the ability to recover, adapt, and keep going — even when things feel hard or uncertain.

The Power of Habits

Identifying everyday habits — sleep, self-care, routines — that support mental and emotional well-being over time.

Empathy in Communication

Building the capacity to care about others' experiences and communicate that care in meaningful ways.

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Recognizing the patterns that get in the way of growth, relationships, and goals — and building healthier alternatives.

Navigating Change

Navigating transitions — new schools, new situations, growing up — with steadiness and practical tools.

Showing Up as Yourself

Developing honest self-awareness and the ability to acknowledge personal patterns, needs, and areas for growth.

Sustainable Self-Care

Practical self-care strategies and the role of affirming self-talk in managing stress and supporting well-being.

Knowing When to Ask for Support

Recognizing when support is needed, knowing what resources are available, and practicing how to ask for help.

Respect & Bullying

Understanding the dynamics and effects of bullying, practicing respect, and building practical responses.

The Connection Hour is educational programming, not therapy or clinical services.

How Sessions Work

Flexible Formats for Youth & Families

The Connection Hour can be shaped around the needs of your organization, school, or program.

Youth-Only Sessions

  • Facilitated discussion for youth in a group setting
  • Available for grades 6–12
  • Begin with a 3-Session Pilot Experience
  • Virtual

Joint Sessions

  • Youth and parents/guardians together in a group setting
  • Parents/guardians only sessions also available
  • Facilitated by Sarah Livingstone, MSW
  • Virtual

Bring The Connection Hour to Your Students or Youth Program

The Connection Hour for youth is now accepting pilot organizations for Fall 2026. Limited spots available for youth organizations, schools, and nonprofits serving grades 6–12. Virtual sessions available.

Let's Talk About Your Group Learn More About the Program →