Hopebeat Weekly: January 23, 2025

Chicago Joins the Hopeful Cities Movement

Photo: Kathryn with Chicago Contemporary Dance group, taking photos at the Shine Hope mural.

CHICAGO JOINS THE SHINE HOPE COMPANY’S NETWORK OF HOPEFUL CITIES, PROVIDING NEW RESOURCES TO SUPPORT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

The Chicago Department of Public Health has partnered with The Shine Hope Company (TSHC) to join its Hopeful Cities initiative. The program is designed to boost mental health resources and teach Chicago residents how to cultivate hope through an evidence-based framework grounded in science, which shows that hope is measurable, teachable, and can be developed to support mental wellness…

Shining Hope at Build in Chicago, featuring Bradly Johnson

We learn through stories. One of our favorite people in Chicago is Bradly Johnson, the Chief Community Officer at one of our favorite organizations, Build. In this episode, Bradly shares his personal journey from overcoming bullying and suppressing emotions to becoming a teacher and community leader. Bradly shares how Stress Skills, Happiness Habits, Inspired Actions, Nourishing Networks, and Eliminating Challenges got him to where he is today. Listen to the full podcast episode here. Listen to the full podcast episode here.

Hopelessness is Affecting Cities

Hopelessness is a key symptom of anxiety, depression, addiction, and violence, all of which affect millions of Americans. In 2023, nearly 60 million adults (23.08%) experienced a mental illness, with one in five adults battling anxiety and 29% diagnosed with depression in their lifetime. Additionally, 48.5 million Americans (16.7%) struggled with substance use in the past year, and over 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced intimate partner violence. Read more research on Hope and hopelessness here.

Photo: Hope Training for educators at the City of Las Vegas, RAP program

Call To Activate Hope in Your City

Hopelessness has real costs, from health risks to community safety to violence to all risky behaviors. The good news is, Hope is measurable, definable, and teachable. We are working to activate Hope around the world. Join the Hopeful Cities movement to make a positive impact. Find out how you can activate Hope in your City here.

Photo: Reno Ambassadors, taking photos at the Hopeful Cities Reno mural

Partner Spotlight

A huge thanks to Strong Future Las Vegas & Youth Development and Social Initiatives of Las Vegas for inspiring our youth and helping us teach the ‘how’ of hope. Explore their impactful work here.

Shine Hope Story of the Week

Check out Mic Fariscal’s Shine Hope Story and get inspired to write your own! Read the full story here. Take our mini-course that offers easy-to-follow video and a template to guide you in crafting a powerful narrative. By sharing your story, you empower yourself and others to navigate future challenges. Find out more at hopecourses.com.

Cool Hope-Inspired Reads: 

The Biggest Little Book About Hope

Featuring honest depictions of my own experiences with hopelessness and suicide, as well as the expertise of hope researchers and the creation of my own hope curriculums, The Biggest Little Book About Hope takes readers on a journey of personal growth and discovery that leads you towards a more hope-filled future. Get a copy here.


Team Talks: 

Meet Kristy L. Stark, MA, EdM, BCBA, one of our Advisors at The Shine Hope Company. She is a Behavioral Scientist, licensed K-12 Administrator, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Consultant, and Entrepreneur. Listen to her message about Hope in early childhood here, and if so inspired connect with her on LinkedIn!


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