The Benji Project

We teach proven mindfulness and self-compassion tools to young people and their families and communities. Through classes, workshops and camps, we build capacity for stress management and emotional resilience.

The Benji Project was founded in 2017 in response to the suicide of a cherished Port Townsend teenager.

Vision

Young people thrive navigating life's ups and downs with resilience.

Mission

We teach proven mindfulness and self-compassion tools to young people and their families and communities. Through classes, workshops and camps, we build capacity for stress management and emotional resilience.

Values

• We honor the common humanity of mental and emotional struggle, while recognizing that each person’s life experience is unique.
• We believe that mental health is integral to individual and community well-being.
• We dedicate ourselves to fostering a sense of belonging among all youth in our community, especially those whose voices are less often heard.
• We use evidence-based programs and innovative approaches to respond to the needs of our community.
• We seek to embody mindfulness and compassion in our interactions with ourselves and those we serve.

Background

Benji Project programming serves youth ages 11 to 19 and their families in East Jefferson County, Washington. Jefferson County is a rural area on the Olympic Peninsula. Much of the county is economically disadvantaged and suffers from a lack of mental health resources. We serve all teens regardless of means, and 85 percent of our participants in after-school and camp programming receive full or partial scholarships.