Welcome to the May 2023 STRYV365 newsletter!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month which means it’s a perfect time to share updates from STRY365. 22.8% of U.S. adults experienced mental health challenges including mental illness. 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. It’s safe to say mental health is a common factor in everyday life, let alone for those with significant adversity. STRYV365 is focused on collaboration and implementing innovative approaches with our partners to improve youth wellness through fun and engaging activities.

Here are some reminders on how to manage your stress daily:

• Take deep breaths and a few minutes to stretch.
• Make time for yourself and dive into a hobby.
• Talk to someone you trust.
• Listen to your favorite song.

STRYV365 would like to thank all of our Milwaukee school programming partners as we near the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year. We are wrapping up the first year of our enhanced IRB approved research study which focuses on the efficacy of STRYV365’s social-emotional (SEL) skills and behavioral change curriculum implemented through our video game, Brain Agents, and our peak team programs. The study’s principal investigator is Dr. John Meurer from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and we look forward to analyzing preliminary results this summer and continuing to improve our programs and the ways they impact our youth.

New this school year is a program called STRYVtime, which has been introduced at four of our partner schools. This program offers additional support to youth in mentoring sessions that are held in small groups and individual meetings. STRYV365’s non-clinical approach empowers our coaches to discuss current events, goal setting, develop leadership skills, and improve critical thinking and decision-making strategies with students. All of this is made possible through the power of healthy, meaningful relationships!

STRYV365 would like to extend our gratitude to our partners at Brown Deer School District, St. Francis School District, Milwaukee Academy of Science,

and Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy for participating in our research study. We look forward to providing meaningful relationships, programming, and data to support the brilliant students, teachers and administrators at each of our valued partner sites now and in the future.

Partner News

Lauren Holiday was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 6, 2023. This is an incredible accomplishment and comes as no surprise. Not only is Lauren one of the best soccer players in American history, but she is an amazing mother, wife, community advocate and philanthropist. Lauren, along with her husband Jrue, and their JLH Social Impact Fund, continues to make incredible contributions to society by supporting and uplifting Black owned businesses and non-profits, facilitating the improvement of women’s shelters, and actively finding ways to empower and improve the lives of everyone around her. We’d like to congratulate Lauren and her family on her well-earned induction to the Soccer Hall of Fame. We are so proud and honored to be a part of the JLH Social Impact Fund family and to have Lauren serve on the STRYV365 Board of Directors. We look forward to growing our partnership with Lauren and appreciate everything she does for us and the youth we serve!

The Chicago Urban League Youth

Summit was held on March 30th, 2023. It was the 5th Annual event held at the UIC Forum in Chicago, IL and this year’s theme was Affirm Yourself, Unleash Your Brand.



STRYV365 was invited to run STEM activities designed to infuse practical resiliency skills for the youth participants. The fun activities

facilitated by STRYV365 coaches

illustrated key underpinnings of our curriculum, such as thoughtful decision-making, the effectiveness of reframing, and the benefits of teamwork and working well with others.

We are proud to report it was a great success and the feedback provided by chaperones and youth in attendance was positive with many young people asking about ways to receive more STRYV365 programming. We look forward to growing our partnership with Chicago Urban League.

STRYV365 in the News

SAVE THE DATE!

2nd Annual Trauma Symposium: Wed, Sept 20, 2023 at the Ivy House

Mark your calendars! We are excited to announce our 2nd Annual Trauma Symposium. This event brings community members together to discuss the lasting impact of trauma and strategies to address and support our community. More information to follow!

Giving Tuesday 4th Virtual Trivia Night: Tues, Nov 28, 2023

The Giving Tuesday initiative was started in 2012 to encourage people throughout the world to focus on altruism, whether by making financial donations or doing good in one’s community. Often hilarious, always competitive, our virtual trivia will not disappoint! More information and registration link to follow!

Staff Highlight: Rick Levy, Program Manager

Have you seen our new billboards? We are reaching more of the community and would love to extend our thanks to LAMAR Advertising for their continued support of STRYV365.