"Childhood trauma isn't something you just get over as you grow up."
-Dr. Nadine Burke Harris

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Adverse Childhood Experiences TED talk

Who We Are

Breathe Boxes Organization is a 501(c)3 public charity based in Richmond, VA. We are a young organization with an ambitious charge.  A mental health toolbox, a resource for youth and their families exposed to ACEs. Providing our young people with internal and external resources to support nervous system regulation, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and expanding their capacity to heal and recover from the impact of trauma and toxic stress.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is a public health crisis and we would like to encourage everyone to become part of the solution. ACEs affect 34.8 million children in the U.S. across socio-economic lines, and are linked to chronic health problems like heart disease or cancer, mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and suicide, behavioral and learning problems, hormonal and immune systems.

 

Fostering Empowered Wellness

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years), including: sexual abuse, emotional abuse, substance abuse. witnessing abuse, abandonment, parental separation or divorce or death, witnessing trauma or death, prenatal stress, painful medical procedures, major car accidents, involved in a natural disaster, incarcerated family members.

1 in 6

Adults experiences four or more types of ACEs

5 of 10

At least 5 of the top 10 leading causes of death are associated with ACEs.

44%

preventing ACEs could reduce the number of adults with depression by as much as 44%.

What We Do

We envision an ever-evolving circle of CURIOSITY, CONNECTION and COMMUNITY- children, families, schools, communities – embodying compassionate relationships with oneself, one another and society. 

Breathe Boxes Organization provides a collective impact and transformation through the following initiatives:

CURIOSITY ~
Breathe Box ~
Mindfulness Gift Box

Help hone resiliency for a child!

Imagine children developing awareness and accessing tools to release and manage their response to trauma.

This is especially important because children and youth who learn how to manage their response to trauma or stress:

  • are at a lower risk for conditions like depression, asthma, cancer, and diabetes in adulthood;
  • are less likely to indulge in behaviors, such as smoking, and heavy drinking; and
  • are more likely to break the generational transfer of adverse childhood experiences.

CONNECTION ~
DISCOVER. ENGAGE. BREATHE.

DISCOVER. ENGAGE. BREATHE. (Mindfulness Based-Art Program)  A mindfulness based-art program combining therapeutic art activities and healing modalities; mindfulness meditation, grounding exercises, visualization, breathwork, movement and more; a holistic approach that embraces mind, body, and spirit.

Mindfulness based-arts encourage the use of the creative process as a catalyst for healing, emotional expression, emotional safety, self-regulation, self-expression and personal development.

COMMUNITY ~
Pulse Check (Sunday Morning Wellness Calls)

Pulse Check is a support group for parents and families impacted by the emotional and physical effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences. This group holds one-hour Zoom call sessions on the third Sunday of each month at 9 AM EST for parents and families as a resource to strengthen social networks to mobilize resilience, capacity and recovery.

Our intention is to create a safe space for parents, caregivers and teens to share, learn, heal, and embody compassionate relationships with oneself and one another.

Register to join our live calls.

Make an Impact

Breathe Box

Your donation will help provide an innovative actionable; sensory products for our self-care and mindfulness gift box.

*For every Breathe Box sold, we will donate a box to one of our local partners who provide services to children and their families.  

Mindfulness Based-Art Program

Your donation will provide art supplies for our DISCOVER. ENGAGE. BREATHE. program – Mindfulness Based-Art program using a combination of healing arts.

Pulse Check

Your donation will help provide access to mental health clinicians and wellness practitioners specializing in healing modaliites. The purpose is to mitigate the long-lasting effects of a traumatic event emphasizing the mind-body connection. 

Cultivating Wellness Practices for Self-care
- Beginning with Awareness -

One of the most important skills for self-care is the skill of awareness. What do we mean by awareness? It is the ability of bringing one’s attention to the present moment-our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings with self-compassion and patience. Awareness is the first requirement for learning or change of any kind.

It's when we live in the moment.

It's when we observe our thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations without judgement.

It's when we're awakened to new experiences and we learn acceptance.

It's when we learn to let go of the failures of the past and the worries of the future.

It's when we create space for others.

“With wellness practices, children discover their natural capacity, intuitive wisdom and inner power to bring balance and healing to themselves and others.”
— Capacitar for Children

Do you want to make an impact?

Change Lives With Your Gift

Giving a donation to Breathe Boxes Organization can help us reach more children and transform their lives for the better. Your kindness and generosity make it possible to do what we do. 

Thank you so much for your support!

Breathe Boxes Organization is not a crisis response center. 
Those experiencing urgent medical or psychiatric concerns should dial 911 or their local emergency agency for assistance.

Make an Impact

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To make an offline donation toward this cause, follow these steps:

  1. Write a check payable to "Breathe Boxes"
  2. On the memo line of the check, indicate that the donation is for "Breathe Boxes"
  3. Mail your check to:

    Breathe Boxes
    111 Not A Real St.
    Anytown, CA 12345

Your tax-deductible donation is greatly appreciated!

Donation Total: $100.00