Today we’d like to introduce you to Jan O’Shaughnessy.
Jan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Once I became a mother, I realized the importance of instilling community service and giving back in my children’s daily lives. As an advocate of both, I realized how hard it was to find a group for kids, no matter their age or gender, where they could team up with other kids, both like them and different and help out their neighborhood. I reached out to other parents to find out if this is something they would be interested in for their children and I was overwhelmed by the response. THIS WAS A NEED! So I launched The Neighborhood Sprouts. We are an organization focused on educating kids on the magic of giving back and the importance of community service. Our mission is to teach kids to give, love, help, thank and in turn they will Sprout into advocates of their community.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My biggest struggle so far is keeping up with how much we want to do! I cannot say enough of the parents of the Sprouts who were so involved and helpful as the Sprouts evolved. I have been overwhelmed with gratitude for my Edgewood/Kirkwood/East Lake community who are so supportive of my ideas and these kids. The neighborhoods have welcomed us and our plans to fundraise and enhance giving back to the community so very much. Our biggest setback so far has been the pandemic. Sadly, we had to cut our season short and cancel a few events the Sprouts had been working so hard on. But with every obstacle comes a pivot. We just launched our first-ever virtual Sprouts mini session. Not only were our original Sprouts able to remain involved, but we also have new members from around the GLOBE! From Edgewood to England, kids are Sprouting!
Please tell us about The Neighborhood Sprouts.
The Neighborhood Sprouts was built off of a need I felt as a parent, a neighbor, A HUMAN. There has been a major decline in empathy within kids. Empathy is the ability to share, connect and understand the feelings of others. It also allows us to be more accepting of those who are different from us. And it helps create a sense of social responsibility within ourselves. So to imagine NOT working on that quality with our kids seems unjust. I felt a strong calling towards creating this space once I identified that it was a need. The Sprouts is a club any child can join. It is a mixture of ages, genders, backgrounds, all working and learning together towards a better future. We meet up bi-weekly talking about issues and real problems in the world and how we can help. Homelessness, racism, global warming, not the most fun topics, but I then show the kids how they can help. I empower them with the knowledge that these things don’t have to stay this way. These kids, these little and mighty powerful humans, can change the future.
Sometimes our service projects include baking for the firehouse or writing thank cards to volunteers, but I always try to have them walk away from a meeting knowing they can make a difference. Every meeting we also practice gratitude development. I asked them what they are thankful for and why. To see them go from being thankful for their toys to their teachers makes me swoon. It also makes me so proud of them and their ability to think of someone other than themselves. I feel really good knowing my mission is coming across and they are truly understanding of the power they have to create a socially responsible and empathic world where everyone is special, just being themselves.
Due to the events unfolding I am offering a FREE 4 week’s session dedicated to talking about racism and inclusion. Starting 6/22. Also hosting a virtual town hall with guest speakers discussing how to talk to your children about racism. Date TBA.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have definitely brought on more outside resources. The kids get sick of hearing me over and over, so I wish I would have pulled in more presentators and special guests. Something I am very much looking forward to in season 3, hopefully starting in August, COVID permitting. I see the importance of having others join and teach the kids, so I really wish I would have started that sooner!
Pricing:
- The Neighborhood Sprouts Kids Club – $75 per season (August)
- The Neighborhood Sprouts- Virtual Session – $35 (starting mid June)
- The Neighborhood Sprouts Monthly Sprouts Subscription – $5.99 per month-Includes a Spout task list, random act of kindness chart, 1 how to video of a service project
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theneighborhoodsprouts.com
- Phone: 770-241-5564
- Email: theneighborhoodsprouts@gmail.com
- Instagram: @theneighborhoodsprouts
- Facebook: @theneighborhoodsprouts
Image Credit:
Nicole Anderson, Just Joss and Co
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