LI youth advocacy group donates wellness kits to local schools
Youth-centered mental health advocacy group The Sophia Valsamos Foundation (TSVF) has announced it is honoring Mental Health Awareness Month this May with a donation of curated wellness kits to the Northport-East Northport School District.
The wellness kits will be for use in both middle schools, Northport High School, the district’s suspension programs and the alternative high school.
Each Wellness Kit includes a thoughtful assortment of sensory tools, self-care items and inspirational materials, all aimed at providing comfort, promoting mindfulness, fostering resilience and bringing emotional health awareness to students.
“In honor of my daughter Sophia, we’re excited to bring this program into schools, where so many young people face daily pressures and emotional challenges,” said Chris Valsamos, TSVF board director. “Our goal is to create safe, supportive spaces where students feel empowered to talk about emotional health and practice self-care without stigma. We’re thrilled to provide our kits to the Northport-East Northport School District to support these students on their journey.”
Anthony Ferrandino, a school social worker in the Northport-East Northport School District, welcomed the donation as a timely and meaningful addition to their ongoing efforts to support social-emotional learning.
“We are thankful to The Sophia Valsamos Foundation for their generous donation of wellness kits to our school community,” said Ferrandino. “Mental health is a critical component of student success, and having access to these kits reinforces the message that it’s okay to ask for help and prioritize emotional well-being.”
TSVF is actively expanding its Wellness Kit initiative with the goal of reaching as many school districts as possible across the region, and invites educators, teachers, school administrators, counselors, psychologists, and social workers to request free wellness kitsfor distribution within their schools. To contribute or volunteer, visit www.TSVF.org.
