A place to slow down, breathe, and grow.
HWI is a free youth wellness program for high school students in Portland. We bring yoga, art therapy, outdoor education, and honest conversation to young people who deserve more than just getting by.
We started because we had to.
After the pandemic, youth programs across Portland that had been lifelines for young people were cut. For Nichole, HWI's founder, the loss was personal. She had watched teens find safety and purpose through community programming. When those programs disappeared, so did too many of the kids she cared about.
HWI was built from that grief and that fire. It's rooted in the belief that young people deserve more than survival. Through yoga, art, nature, and honest conversation, we give students tools that actually work, grounded in their own lives and experiences.
Today HWI is a free summer camp and year-round programming for high school students in Portland. Every session is free. Every student is welcome.
Read Our Full StoryWellness that feels real.
Our programs blend movement, creativity, and community into experiences students actually connect with. No lectures. No fixing. Just space to explore.
"I was extremely pleased that Nichole was able to more fully participate in our program and integrate more of her ideas about holistic wellness. The community support and the work they did with Nichole helped students integrate very hard material with room for joy and a sense of growth. The showcase photos after they walked across the stage were remarkable. They all looked so happy."
Summer camp applications are open.
The first-ever HWI Youth Camp is a free, four-day experience for high school students in Portland. Spots are limited. If you're ready to slow down, connect, and find out what wellness can really look like, this is the place.