Young people have an opportunity to build practical skills early — before the demands of school, relationships, and adulthood increase.
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.
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.
Practical skills for handling disagreement in friendships, family relationships, and school settings — without shutting down or escalating.
Practicing the pause between feeling something and acting on it — a foundational skill for healthier communication.
Recognizing stress as it builds and developing practical tools for managing it before it becomes overwhelming.
Navigating transitions — new schools, new situations, growing up — with steadiness and practical tools.
Understanding personal limits, learning to communicate them, and recognizing when boundaries are being pushed or crossed.
Developing honest self-awareness and the ability to acknowledge personal patterns, needs, and areas for growth.
Building the ability to recover, adapt, and keep going — even when things feel hard or uncertain.
Identifying everyday habits — sleep, self-care, routines — that support mental and emotional well-being over time.
Understanding the dynamics and effects of bullying on individuals, relationships, and communities — and building practical responses.
Building the capacity to care about others' experiences and communicate that care in meaningful ways.
Recognizing the patterns that get in the way of growth, relationships, and goals — and building healthier alternatives.
Practical self-care strategies and the role of affirming self-talk in managing stress and supporting well-being.
Understanding and balancing personal needs with available resources — and developing practical strategies for everyday life.
The Connection Hour can be shaped around the needs of your organization, school, or program.
The Connection Hour for Adolescents is now accepting pilot organizations for Fall 2026. Limited spots available for youth organizations, schools, and nonprofits serving grades 6–12. Available in-person and virtually.
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