The Purusha Project

New Year, New Possilibities!

2011-01-25T18:55:00.000-08:00

It still amazes me. In less than three years our enthusiasm and good intentions have transformed into a well received and quickly growing organization. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such an overwhelming response and interest from our county governments. There is a definite need and focus to change the way we rehabilitate and support teens in the correctional system.

This year is full of possibility. New partnerships, new relationships with our supporters, new staff, and new girls.

I hope you join us as we continue to discover the true potential of The Purusha Project.

Jen Mohr
Executive Director

Pre-Thanksgiving 'Stuffing' Event Success!

2010-11-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the seven amazing volunteers who spent last Saturday evening stuffing envelopes for our fall fundraising event. The group made quick work of it while we shared stories and laughs. (A special thank you to those who then had to brave the icy roads to get home!)

This Thanksgiving week I am especially thankful to all of you who have donated time, money, and positive thoughts to The Purusha Project. It is wonderful to know that a community is forming to ensure that our mission continues to reach girls in our area.

Thank you!

Jen
Executive Director of The Purusha Project

Scott County Sand Mandala Session

2010-11-19T20:24:00.000-08:00

Last week Scott County girls worked together to create a sand mandala. They used colored sand, each color representing a positive personality characteristic, and completed their mandala in silence. They practiced positive body language to communicate with their peers and exercised patience while spreading the sand onto the design.

We discussed how the experience brought each girl 'into the moment' and how proud they were of their focus and effort.

As is done with Tibetan mandalas, the girls then washed the mandala away, using their hands to mix the sands together into a multi-colored mound. We talked about how life sometimes feels like the sand mandala experience. We work so hard only to find that our work gets 'washed away'. One girl commented that even if she couldn't see the mandala anymore, it still exists to her as a positive memory. After further discussion, the girls agreed it is worth giving your all in life even if in the end their efforts sometimes looks like a pile of sand. The memory of doing good, trying hard, and working together stays with us.

Bring Yoga to our Youth!

2010-11-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

At our session yesterday a girl came into the room angry and frustrated about a best friend who was back into using drugs. She was sad to know she would need to end their friendship to prevent her own relapse. Following our yoga practice I asked each girl to choose a quote from the center of the circle. The girl chose, "If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain" by Dolly Parton. She talked about the relief she would feel to know that after all the hardship and problems she experiences there was a 'rainbow' on the other side. After discussing more, she decided that graduating from high school is her 'rainbow'. She created a bracelet with her power word 'rainbow' using brightly colored beads.

As the end of the year approaches, we seek financial support to help us sustain our organization into the new year.
We offer girls in juvenile corrections an opportunity to make new starts, develop inner strength, and make positive choices. While the challenges these girls face daily are not removed, the skills built at The Purusha Project sessions give them resilience to continue creating the life they dream to live.
Please consider donating to The Purusha Project. We cannot do this without your help. It takes a community to help a child succeed and find their rainbow.

Namaste,
Jen
Executive Director of The Purusha Project

Phone keeps ringing!

2010-09-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hello Purusha Project supporters,

My phone has been ringing this past week with two new counties interested in partnering with The Purusha Project! Each county has mentioned that 'word is getting around' that our service is unique and valuable.

A recent Amicus (a local non-profit that works in the state justice system) study has concluded that to create change with adolescent girls in the juvenile justice system we need to develop meaningful relationships. This is The Purusha Project's approach!
http://www.amicususa.org/publications.html

As we enter the fall school season, I feel particularly mindful of how we help adolescents' learn. We know that no one can learn without their basic needs being met. This includes safety, food, shelter, and health. Empowering our girls in a safe space with self-confidence and the tools to work through life challenges is essential as they go on to be successful in school and into adulthood.

Please consider helping support our cause this fall. Every donation counts to continue building relationships with our girls.

Take Care,
Jen
Executive Director of The Purusha Project

A New Idea

2010-08-11T05:34:00.000-07:00

As our girls graduate from group we hold special graduating ceremonies. During the ceremony each girl is given a certificate of participation and a yoga mat (donated by CorePower Yoga). These ceremonies are memorable as we go around the circle and have each participant and staff member share a memory or meaningful compliment to our graduate.

Our new idea!
We are working to create a Purusha Project yoga CD. The CD will have several 10-15 minute long yoga practices that the graduate can use to practice (on her new mat!) outside of our sessions. I am excited to see this graduation project through!

Jen
Executive Director of The Purusha Project

Finding our Purusha way

2010-08-04T09:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Purusha Project supporters!

This summer I have been able to meet interested volunteers, potential teachers, and generous donors. It is powerful to know how many people believe in our work. A special thanks to Matt and Ann for sharing a meal to discuss the needs of our organization.

I have also been fortunate to meet our newest addition to the team, Meredith. She is currently acting as our Art Director. Meredith has a strong background in art therapy and grief counseling. She has already made a large impact to our project.

We are very busy at Scott County. The feedback from our weekly sessions has been extremely positive. 4 girls have already graduated from the group. Additionally, one participant requested to continue attending sessions beyond her graduation.

Our partnership with Hennepin County Home School is looking to begin this September. The county is enthusiastic to include our project within their newly developed rehabilitation program. Along with the mission of The Purusha Project, the county has built a vegetable garden with a volunteer gardener and nutritionist.

Show a teen you care!

Jen
Executive Director of The Purusha Project

Contracts Coming!

2010-02-22T15:01:00.000-08:00

Hello Purusha Pals!

We are working very hard to complete our contract negotiations with Scott County and Dakota County. Final details are being ironed out...whew, a major endeavor!

We have fantastic newly hired teachers ready to begin teaching the weekly sessions.

30 mats and 40 blocks were donated from CorePower St Louis Park~ Thank you!

I am looking forward to seeing our official contracted partnerships take off. We received amazing feedback from Dakota County girls who participated last year....

"I really enjoyed the yoga group. It taught me ways to control my anger and I continue to use the skills every day" ~ Brittany

"At first I did not think I would enjoy the group but I learned new things and actually liked coming to group every week." ~ Elizabeth

"There is a calmness to me when I attend yoga group. I even taught others some of the skills I learned in group." ~Destiny

Hooray for our girls!
Jen
Executive Director of The Purusha Project

CorePower Edina- Karma Yoga November 2009

2009-10-19T10:40:00.001-07:00

We have an exciting opportunity to shop, practice yoga, and donate to The Purusha Project!

During the entire month of November at CorePower in Edina, a portion of retail proceeds and all donations will be raised for The Purusha Project.

Edina CorePower believes strongly in their monthly Karma Yoga Project. Karma Yoga is the practice of selfless service for common good. The Purusha Project has been selected as CorePower's November 2009 service organization.

Celebrate the Thanksgiving spirit by stopping in to enjoy CorePower in Edina and donating to our organization.

Check out CorePower Edina's website for directions, class schedules and contact information....
http://www.corepoweryoga.com/locations/minnesota/edina.aspx

Thank you for your continued support of The Purusha Project...let's celebrate the end of our first year with CorePower!

A new Purusha Project partner!

2009-09-02T14:58:00.001-07:00

We have been going strong with Dakota County since February of this year. To date, 25 girls have participated in the program. Some have graduated, some have returned, some are just starting in these recent weeks. We are currently working with Dakota County to change our status as a volunteer organization to a contractual party.

Also, we have begun the ground work with our Scott County partnership (and possibly Carver County in addition!). Meetings are taking place to set schedules, determine the needs of both partners, and develop County staff participation. We have set a date of January 2010 as the beginning of our sessions at this new location.

What we do!!

2009-09-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

These girls are amazing.
They are young, ready for a fresh start, and eager to find healthy ways to do so. It impresses me that the same girl known in court by her offense, (domestic disturbances with family members, burglary, prostitution, and drug use) is the young woman sharing her hopes and dreams to improve her relationships with family, the community, and herself.
The girls come to the sessions from the jail, from their house arrest location, or from a local public school. At the beginning of a session the girls sometimes come in angry and, as we call it in the group, ‘caught up in drama’. When we meet on our mats I have them lie on their backs, place their hands on their belly, and close their eyes for ‘take 5 breathing’. The girls take five deep breaths and spend several minutes calming their bodies and minds. After this ‘cool down’ the girls are ready for the session to start.
The two hour sessions are balanced with interrelated yoga and art. The art project and yoga practice reflect the session theme (for example: non-violence, truthfulness, contentment). The curriculum includes time for group discussions regarding poetry, song lyrics, personal recovery, yoga philosophy, etc.
Over the past months the sessions have become a safe space for girls to share their struggles. I have been touched by their stories as well as their honesty and desire to get out of conflict with the law and their family. These girls are aged 12-18 years old; they have so much to offer to the community and so much time to pick up the pieces.

Can I stay please?

2009-09-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

As our girls complete their court sentence of incarceration, house arrest, probation, or community and service, we’re discovering that they don’t want to leave! Of the twelve girls that were with us through June, three have requested in their follow up court hearing to continue participating in The Purusha Project. Several have had to leave the program due to age or living at home; these girls are given a free donated mat and warm send off to continue their yoga practice.

Empowering Art and Yoga

2009-02-09T12:17:00.001-08:00

Last Thursday the Dakota County JDC girls created empowerment bracelets.

Each girl began by picking out an inspirational quote from a jar and reflecting on its impact in their own life. After sharing as a group; the girls chose a single word that would inspire them to continue on a positive path.
The words honesty, aspire, blessed, love, chance, peace, and patience were chosen.

Each girl spelled their word out in letter beads and created a bracelet to wear and use during times of stress, anger, etc.

We also discussed 'Take 5'. Take 5 is a breathing exercise that uses deep belly breathing during challenging times. We practiced our Take 5 breathing and brainstormed times in daily life when Take 5 would be helpful.

The girls complete reflection forms at the end of each session. When asked 'how did you feel before class?' their responses are: stressed, tired, anxious, kinda irritated, frustrated, etc. When asked 'how do you feel now?' their responses are: Chill, calm, relieved, better, and relaxed.

Keep checking back for more great success stories!

Jen Mohr
Executive Director

Off to a Great Start!

2009-01-25T10:03:00.000-08:00

Our first session at the Dakota County JDC went well!

Though we were expecting 10 or more girls, due to some transportation glitches, only 3 were able to make the trip to Hastings...we expect better turn out next week.

As the girls entered they picked out a yoga mat, we have 18 different colors and styles...it was a quick peek into their personality, one chose a neon orange, another a soft purple...

My favorite feedback from the girls includes... "that was actually kind of fun" (from a girl who came in jeans and disinterest), and "I'd like to keep learning this".

The girls made 'gateway' covers to their journals, it was great to see the inspiring phrases they put on their work...'My future my decisions', reflections on love, positive thinking, and being sincere to themselves.

We're off to a great start!

Jennifer Mohr
Executive Director

Our first DCJDC session this Thursday!

2009-01-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

We begin at the Dakota County Juvenile Detention Center this Thursday!

We will meet in a conference room within the JDC building; the girls from the jail will attend with an officer. There will be (estimated) 9 girls at our first session.

One of our first art projects is to make 'gateway journals' to be used during each session for reflection. They will also be encouraged to use the journals during the week. A 'gateway' signifies the path they are on to discover their own truth and ability to change behaviors.

Our sessions at The Bridge for Youth have had to be postponed due to renovations they are doing to their emergency shelter. It's great news for them~ especially during such tight times. We will be starting our sessions with them in several months.

Our other partner, The Joy Project, a support group for those with eating disorders, is working to find a location to hold The Purusha Project. They have had some recent leads. We will see where their efforts lead us in the upcoming weeks.

Thank you!

2009-01-03T09:46:00.001-08:00

Today we were given many many donated mats from CorePower Yoga!
We have more than enough for our girls to practice on.
Four CorePower locations donated and continue to support our cause with donation based classes as well.

Thank you to all the yogis and yoginis who has attended recent donation classes and pledged your support!

Also, to everyone volunteering time and expertise, I am grateful for you! We have had several folks step up to serve as artist, yoga, and daily operation volunteers.

Happy New Year 2009!

Jen Mohr
Executive Director

On Our Way!

2008-12-30T14:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome to The Purusha Project blog! We have been very busy during the month of December.

With several fundraising events at Bally Total Fitness and CorePower Yoga and many generous contributions from our supporters, we are now ready to start at our partnering locations at the end of January!

We purchased our curriculum from The Art of Yoga Project this week.
CorePower has donated all the mats we will need for our girls!
Art supplies will be purchased during the next weeks.

I met with Laura from The Bridge for Youth and we worked to determine the space we will use for our sessions. The Dakota County JDC is all set to go in a conference room across the parking lot from the jail.

More to come! Hope the winter weather is treating you well!