Where HWI came from, and why it matters.
HWI started with grief and grew into something hopeful. Here's the full story, in Nichole's own words.
The seeds were planted during one of the hardest seasons of my life.
Back in 2018 and 2019, I worked at the Matt Dishman Community Center's teen force program. That space was more than just an after-school hangout. It was a sanctuary. I saw firsthand how powerful it is when youth have somewhere safe to be, where they're seen, supported, and challenged to grow. I watched teens step into leadership, build friendships, and find purpose. These programs were lifelines, especially for young people from low-income and marginalized communities.
Then the pandemic hit, and with it came devastating budget cuts within Portland Parks and Recreation. Those lifelines disappeared. Within a year, three teens I had mentored were killed by gun violence. Others ended up incarcerated, trafficked, or pulled into gang activity. These weren't headlines. They were kids I knew.
In my own healing journey, I had found grounding in wellness practices like yoga, mindfulness, and community care. These tools helped me find balance, clarity, and resilience. I started to imagine what it would look like to bring those same tools to youth, especially those navigating systemic violence, mental health struggles, and social pressure.
In 2022, I became the Wellness Coordinator for the Inquiry for Justice Program, working directly with high school students from underserved backgrounds. I began integrating wellness into our curriculum. That's how the Holistic Wellness Initiative came to life.
Since then, HWI has grown into something bigger than I ever imagined. It's a free youth summer camp rooted in healing, creativity, and connection. Through yoga, art, nature, open dialogue, and community partnerships, we're helping young people access wellness in ways that feel real, accessible, and culturally responsive.
This project is deeply personal to me. Every piece of it is a response to what I've seen, what I've lived, and what I believe our youth deserve: a chance to thrive, not just survive.
Mission and vision.
Our mission
To promote holistic wellness as a tool for equipping young people with strategies to navigate challenges, cultivate self-care, and build resilience.
Our vision
A future where youth are equipped with the knowledge and skills to take care of themselves, through practices that nurture the mind, body, and spirit.
HWI at Parkrose High School.
After collaborating with Dr. Sonja Taylor through the Inquiry for Justice program, she invited Nichole to bring HWI to her students at Parkrose High School as part of her internship. Working with a group of 15 students every Monday and Friday, HWI programming covered mental well-being, food justice, gun violence, art therapy, and yoga.
Students worked with the Lewis and Clark Art Therapy program and Vision Quilt to create powerful visual art panels advocating against gun violence in schools. These weren't just art projects. They were calls for healing and change, led entirely by the students themselves.
"I was extremely pleased that Nichole was able to more fully participate in our program this year and integrate more of her ideas about holistic wellness. From the beginning I think Sarah and I both realized that we needed to focus on all aspects of well-being with our students. Coming out of the pandemic I have been acutely aware, even more than before, of how crucial it is to explicitly focus on supporting the mental health and well-being of our students. I loved working with Nichole this year to really focus on helping all our students feel prepared and engaged. The community support and the work they did with Nichole helped them integrate that knowledge with room for joy and a sense of growth."
Ready to see what we do?
Browse our programs or reach out directly. We'd love to hear from you.