Inspiring Dreams Network

06/02/2026

We wrapped up today's training sharing information on Preparing Students for a Successful Summer, led by Nick Larson and assisted by Dr. Barb Brady. Sometimes youth lack the resources and supervision needed to stay safe and be successful over the summer. We highlighted resources for mental health and social emotional support, academics, safety, and resources to support kiddos just having fun!

06/02/2026

We kicked off our training with the Shack Neighborhood House, one of our new partners funded by the Milan Puskar Foundation. Sara Robinson lead a training on mandated reporting and now Paula Kerner is leading an interactive training on the LEAN on ME curriculum aimed at preparing staff to better support families who are struggling or may be in crisis. ouse

06/02/2026

What a great day of training yesterday with 35 camp and after school program staff members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Eastern Panhandle. John Barton kicked off the day via Zoom on Dispelling Myths of Autism. Then Corey Beahm and Dr. Barb Brady conducted an interactive workshop on Peaceful Conflict Resolution. We are thankful to the Milan Puskar Foundation for funding this valuable training. We love equipping youth-serving adults to better support and inspire the youth they serve. 

05/26/2026

Inspiring Dreams Network is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by at-risk youth through targeted training and resource allocation. Our programs are designed to equip these young individuals with the skills and support they need to thrive in their communities and beyond. By fostering a collaborative environment, we can tackle the systemic issues affecting youth development. Join us in this vital conversation and contribute to a brighter future.

Email from Inspiring Dreams Network Empower Youth and Communities - Apply for VISTA by July 17th! Exciting Opportunity! WV's Promise Youth Alliance, Inc. VISTA Inspiring Dreams Network (IDN) is seekin

05/22/2026

What an opportunity for parents. Please share and encourage parents obtains to join. It's free!!

Free Parent Conference

05/16/2026

We've kicked off our fifth and final Youth Mental Health, First Aid training this month, celebrating National Mental Health Awareness Month. We're happy to be back in Clay County again this year training more of their teachers and staff. 🎉

05/13/2026

Through our partnership with the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Grant, IDN began our training partnership with the Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center afterschool programs, training their small, but mighty staff on positive youth development best practices to build their capacity to better support at-risk youth. Yesterday we provided trainings on Keep Them Safe... Su***de Prevention & Person Centered Trauma Informed Care (PCTIC). The Red Shield Centers are gearing up for their summer camps. If you live in the Kanawha or St. Albans area, check out their summer camp and get your kiddos enrolled. Their staff will be well prepared to support youth in having a great summer opportunity!!

05/09/2026

We had a fantastic day yesterday training a diverse stakeholder group on Youth Mental Health First Aid. It was a very interactive, fun training. This training was particularly unique in that we had it at Horseshoe Heaven on Smith Farm. We posted the work on our flip charts on the front of the horse stalls we had just finished summarizing various mental health disorders.  One of the horses, Mocha must've been offended because she decided to be defiant and rip off the chart related to Disruptive and Conduct Disorders. Earlier she was eating post notes related to stigmatizing versus non-stigmatizing language related to mental health struggles. Apparently she did not like the stigmatizing language. Unfortunately, we did not get that on video.

05/09/2026

We had a fantastic day yesterday training a diverse stakeholder group on Youth Mental Health First Aid. It was a very interactive, fun training. This training was particularly unique in that we had it at Horseshoe Heaven on Smith Farm. We posted the work on our flip charts on the front of the horse stalls we had just finished summarizing various mental health disorders.  One of the horses, Mocha must've been offended because she decided to be defiant and rip off the chart related to Disruptive and Conduct Disorders. It was also very neat hanging out with the horses during the breaks. More pics to come of our 4 recent YMHFA trainings.