Navigating relationships and personal dilemmas are especially tricky for teens and young adults. When dealing with such a problem for the first time, they may not know how to react or think clearly through all the confusion that being innocent brings.
Many young people make poor choices that they often look back on with regret because they lacked a figure in their life to guide them. The truths of life are often unclear to us until we reach a certain age and have stumbled through harrowing ordeals that have traumatized us. Heart-Centered Matters is a nonprofit organization that specializes in coaching youth on how to lead wholesome lives with lasting happiness.
Heart-Centered Matters was founded by Christina Roberson and Mary Reynolds-Clark. They have decided to bring together their nineteen years of personal coaching together to bring relationship coaching into high schools and colleges around the US. Both being minorities, as well as women in business, they have faith that they can bring much-needed relatable support and education to the youth of this country.
Although both Mary and Christina have coached varieties of people of all ages in their private practices, their target audience at Heart-Centered Matters is primarily focused on millennials and generation Xers. Both founders firmly believe that change begins with youth. Educating the youth on #LoveTruths and the definition of healthy and positive relationships will radically change the world in a positive way.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, they continue to reach out virtually to the masses with their positive message on relationships with the #LoveTruths movement. During this time of social distress and economic turmoil, they recognize the ever-growing importance of connection and support for one another. They understand the need for uniting and bridging the gap between races and social classes.
Christina knows that by co-founding Heart-Centered Matters, we are one step closer as a nation to reach that goal. It all begins with the youth, as this generation will eventually pave the way for the next. Christina and Mary know that that can only be done with love, support, and relationship education.
What sets them apart from others is that they do not limit themselves in specializing in one or two areas of relationships. Other organizations often focus on avoiding abuse, bridging the gap between youth and law enforcement, providing financial assistance to youth in toxic home relationships, or offering support to abused youth. However, what is lacking is teaching youth how to recognize signs of toxic behavior, then how to heal from that toxic behavior if they have experienced it; how to build positive self-image and self-esteem; and how to attract and maintain positive, healthy relationships with peers, family, coworkers, and within intimate relationships. They not only incorporate all those teachings but also team up with other important foundations which provide the other services listed above. In this way, they hope to touch on every aspect of need within the high schools and colleges they serve.
The road to happier and healthier humanity is long, and there may be many rocks, but with organizations such as Heart-Centered Matters, it is a sure journey.
You may visit the Heart-Centered Matters Facebook page here. Check out Christina Roberson on Instagram here.
Opinions expressed by NY Weekly contributors are their own.