Supporting CommUnity, Inc.

With summer sports in full swing, this quote is a timely reminder.

“The most important psychological reward offered by sports is the opportunity to experience and build self-esteem.” — Eric Margenau, Ph.D.

The greatest victories aren't always found on the scoreboard. They're found in the confidence and self-worth we help young athletes build every day.

As young people transition from the school year into summer camps, sports, jobs, and other programs, my session on the adolescent brain offers timely and practical reminders for those working with youth.

Key attendee takeaways from my session include patience, repetition, understanding that adolescent brains are still developing, and the lasting impact of supportive relationships.

The snowy pathway analogy captures this idea well. New skills take repeated practice to become easier over time, and progress is strengthened when trusted adults such as coaches, counselors, employers, and mentors intentionally stay present, reinforce expectations, and support consistency along the way.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to share an inspiring initiative I recently learned about at the VRPS: Virginia Recreation & Park Society (VRPS) Leadership Training Institute. During the event, Jason Bookhelmer introduced attendees to I Play Too — a meaningful initiative focused on mental health awareness and encouraging individuals to pay attention to their own mental well-being.
Just like our physical health, our mental health deserves intentional care and attention. Are we getting enough rest? Practicing self-care? Taking breaks when needed? Reaching out for help and support? Just as importantly, are we creating environments where others feel safe doing the same?
One of the most powerful reminders from this initiative is that it’s okay to ask for help and it’s okay to pause and take care of yourself. Thank you to VRPS for highlighting the importance of mental health and making valuable resources available to support individuals and organizations alike.
No matter the profession or industry, life brings stress, challenges, and uncertainty. Prioritizing mental health helps us navigate those moments with greater resilience, clarity, and compassion for ourselves and others.
As a continued reminder, check out my article, “Navigating Mental Health and Emotions in the Workplace – Lessons from Inside Out and Beyond,” https://lnkd.in/gTEtPMZa which explores the importance of intentional self-care, emotional awareness, and accepting support from those around us.
Take care of yourself … and each other.

I’m looking forward to connecting with colleagues at Colorado Parks & Recreation Association's PLAaY Spring Conference, where I’ll be leading the opening keynote, “The Johnny Appleseeds of Our Time: Planting the Seeds of Support,” along with two additional breakout sessions.

We’ll start the day exploring the reasons we “do what we do” and how we can sow the seeds of support through our stories of success.

Registration is open until 12:00 p.m. MDT today. I’d love to see you there and continue the conversation in person! https://members.cpra-web.org/events/Details/plaay-spring-conference-2026-1699098?sourceTypeId=Website

Summer programs can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life, and the way staff show up each day makes all the difference.

For organizations that may not be able to bring in training but still want to support their teams, I’m sharing a 7 Weeks of Summer Leadership handout. It offers simple, practical ideas to help staff build connection, consistency, and a positive culture.https://supportingcommunity.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/7-Weeks-of-Summer-Leadership.pdf

If you’d like to talk through ideas for implementing the 7-week plan, feel free to message me to schedule a brief Zoom conversation. I’d be glad to support your work.