Empowering Youth in Care Homes Through Nature

Dear Donors and Supporters,

Thank you for your continuous belief in Mirai no Mori's mission of empowering marginalized youth in the outdoors. Your generosity has already transformed lives in 2026.

Our curriculum continues to adapt to the specific needs of the youth we serve at every age and life stage. Here's how 2026 has looked with:

• Campers (ages 6-14)
  The year kicked off with three sessions of our two-day snow program in January and February, reaching over 100 campers. Blessed with abundant snowfall, we welcomed many children who were experiencing a winter wonderland for the first time. By combining fun with intentional learning opportunities, campers enjoyed a variety of activities such as sledding, igloo-building, snow ball fights, star gazing and snowmen building, while improving self-awareness, resilience, and confidence.

• Leaders in Training (ages 15-18)
  Our high school LITs joined our snow programs as supporting staff, gaining hands-on experience in project management, communication, and teamwork. In March, we celebrated the conclusion of the 2025 cycle with a moving ceremony joined by over 30 participants. After a specialized workshop, each LIT delivered a speech outlining their growth and future goals- a particularly poignant moment for those preparing to leave their care homes and begin independent lives this month.

• Graduates (ages 18+)
  For our oldest group, this quarter focused on practical life skills and professional exposure. Along with LITs, graduates participated in workplace visits across various industries and attended a transformative goal-setting workshop that turned large ambitions into manageable daily tasks. A significant highlight of this quarter was a series of corporate screenings for a film directed by one of our own graduates. As she completes film school this month, her work-inspired by her life in the care home- is raising vital awareness among our sponsors about the challenges and triumphs of the children we serve.

Thank you for making these milestones possible. Your support provides the foundation for every step they take.