Empowering Youth in Care Homes Through Nature

            April is a month full of new beginnings for the children, such as new school, new grade, or new independent life. For Mirai no Mori, it was a month of reuniting with repeaters and meeting and welcoming new children to our programs.
            Following the lifting of the COVID-19 measures at the end of March, we were finally able to host the "Snow Program" in Niigata, which was postponed many times. We also hosted the "Game Day Program" in Mitake under the warm spring sun. Sledding and snowball fights in spring snow were memorable experiences, but lunches by the riverbanks, climbing trees, and just casual conversations with the staff were also valuable and memorable experiences for many children, especially when there are still so many restrictions in their daily lives.
            In this year's LIT program, eight high school students, including three first-year students, are planning to join us. We are so grateful to be able to provide such a unique learning experience to those who would benefit the most.
            We also welcomed three new members to our Graduate Program this April, and we hosted our first outdoor event this year. Four members joined the event, including one with a full-time job, two university students, and one in-between job. They all enjoyed the activities and the company, sharing their goals, challenges, and what they are looking forward to this year. We will continue to stay connected with our graduates and support them individually towards their goals.

Links:

• Winter Program report
• April Game Day report