On Thursday, June 12, about 40 supporters gathered at a warm and welcoming Greek restaurant on the Upper West Side for Bond & Bloom, a special evening to connect, reflect, and learn more about the mission of the Healing Schools Project.
We heard moving reflections from Yasmeen Sampson, Head of School at Philips Academy in Newark, who reminded us:
“We can’t expect excellence from educators who are emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted. You quite literally cannot pour into children from an empty cup.”
Founder and Executive Director Wenimo Okoya led guests through a powerful guided reflection on what schools could feel like if every educator were truly supported and cared for. She shared:
“If we treated schools like workplaces—not just learning centers—if teachers and leaders were well taken care of, we could transform everything. That’s the vision. And I’m grateful that you believe in it too.”