The Ana Grace Project Shares the Love

The Ana Grace Project (AGP) was founded in 2013 in loving memory of Ana Grace Márquez-Greene, who was murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The response to the Sandy Hook shooting was stunning and Newtown was inundated with an outpouring of support. The Márquez-Greene family recognized that this support is urgently needed in many other communities for children and families exposed to trauma, ACEs, toxic stress, etc. They created AGP to promote love, community and connection for every child and family.
 
In partnership with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) and a host of community partners, the work of AGP is driven by the belief that love, community, and connection can be powerful antidotes to trauma and violence. AGP believes that communities are healthier and safer when people: 

• Value relationships and connection and reduce social isolation
• Teach tools for empathy, self-regulation and self-care
• Move, play and create
• Respect diversity
• Provide help, hope and information
• Promote acts of service

These goals are explored through three primary initiatives: professional development, partner schools and music and arts. 

Nelba L. Marquez-Greene (second from L), mother of Ana Grace and founder of the Ana Grace project, with leaders from the Love Wins Partner Schools Initiative team in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

Professional Development

Teachers and school staff are often the first to observe changes in their students. AGP professional development can help educators and staff to understand and identify how trauma can present in the classroom. The trainings include an initial two-hour session focusing on trauma indicators, mechanisms to help students cope and the importance of community collaboration. Since 2014, AGP and friends have facilitated presentation topics including neurobiology of trauma, classroom management, de-escalating techniques, therapeutic crisis intervention, social/emotional learning, mindfulness and meditation, healthy child and adolescent development, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and how to support children and families after tragedy. In partnership with CCSU, AGP has been able to offer these online and co-host them with CCSU faculty.

Partner Schools

Love Wins partner schools are “adopted” by AGP. We then provide extension activities to promote love winning. Love Wins classroom extension activities augment any existing school curriculum. Every classroom is different – one AGP partner school kindergarten classroom practiced yoga. Other classrooms integrated Love Wins extension activities into their reading lessons by exploring the feelings and behaviors of characters from different books. Older students have implemented peer mediation and conflict resolution techniques to find positive solutions to fighting.
 
These efforts are supported by undergraduate and graduate interns from the CCSU Marriage and Family Therapy and Psychology programs. The interns work with teachers and school support staff such as school counselors, school social workers and school psychologists to identify and focus on students who need more individualized support. The interns also manage specialized group programs like Lunch Bunches, where students can practice their social skills in a relaxed, welcoming space. In 2017–2018 alone, AGP raised over $50,000 to help offset the cost of this work.
 
Working in collaboration with clinical partner organizations, including the Child Trauma Academy and Klingberg Family Centers, AGP advocates for increased access to mental health services within the school building. From 2016–2018, clinicians and MFT interns from CCSU have provided 2,073 treatment hours for students and families at our partner schools. These services included providing individual, family and group counseling. 

Music and Arts

AGP believes in the power of connection through the arts. To this end, they have provided special opportunities for students like “Broadway on Mill Street” and support the CREC Ana Grace Academy of the Arts Elementary Academy.
 
Ultimately, we know that children can thrive with proper supports, but they may also need an opportunity. We are thrilled and encourage all students to finish the race of education. To this end, CCSU has established a Love Wins scholarship for students who have come through our collaborative and graduate from New Britain High School. For more information, view our video.
 
Learn more about the Ana Grace Project at www.anagraceproject.org or email info@anagraceproject.org. Follow the Ana Grace Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay connected to our work.