## Project Happy Connects Young Volunteers with Opportunities

Visions for some are built on past experiences. for Jack Potvin, those experiences were volunteer opportunities in his teenage years – at least, the ones open to him.

“There was no platform for young people to find opportunities, specifically for people under 18,” he recalled. “So many nonprofits I used to call when I was in high school were like, ‘No, you’re 18. You know you can’t,right?'”

Compounded with that,Potvin said his friends didn’t know how to find the right volunteer programs for them,or didn’t see the same value in this work that Potvin did.These factors kept Potvin stewing thru college at the University of New Hampshire about how to make volunteering not only more accessible to kids like himself but also how to show his peers that it can be fun and gratifying to step up in their community.

His vision materialized into Project Happy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that he co-founded, which collaborates with other Manchester-area nonprofits to connect grade schoolers and college students to youth-friendly volunteer opportunities.

Those connections are facilitated through a phone app. There, students can seek out local organizations that share details about when and where they will have service times for volunteers, including the duration, any age requirements and how many spots are free. They can also tailor the app to specific criteria that matter to them.

More than just listing volunteer outings, the app also displays the total number of hours students have served since using it, as well as the number of organizations they’ve volunteered with.

“If you can gamify doing good, make it easy, fun and super low-friction for young people, you can modernize Gen Z upon service. Then, more people will volunteer,” Potvin said. “So far, we’ve seen that’s true.”

Co-founders Jack Potvin and Gerry receive third place in the P.J. Holloway Prize competition at the University of New Hampshire, their alma mater. (Courtesy of project Happy)

15 West High Football Players Volunteering At Piscataquog Park

Project Happy: Connecting Students with Mental Health Resources in New Hampshire

project Happy, a New Hampshire-based app, is working to connect students with vital mental health resources. Launched in 2023, the app aims to streamline access to support and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges among teenagers. It’s gaining traction within the state’s education system, offering a digital platform for students to find help and track their progress.

The Problem: Accessing Mental Health Support for teens

Adolescence is a period of significant emotional and psychological growth. Regrettably,many teenagers face barriers when seeking mental health support. These barriers can include:

• Stigma: Fear of judgment or discrimination can prevent students from reaching out.
• Lack of Awareness: Students may not know what resources are available to them.
• Accessibility Issues: Conventional methods of accessing care, like scheduling appointments and transportation, can be arduous.
• Cost: Mental health services can be expensive, creating a financial burden for families.

Project Happy directly addresses these challenges by providing a centralized, accessible, and confidential platform.

How Project Happy Works

Project Happy functions as a digital directory and tracking system for mental health resources.Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

• Resource Directory: The app provides a curated list of mental health providers, support groups, and crisis hotlines available in New Hampshire.
• School Integration: Project Happy partners with high schools (both public and private) to integrate the app into the school environment.
• Digital verification: The app digitally tracks and verifies student involvement in mental health services, which can be useful for college applications or fulfilling school requirements.
• Parental Consent: A mandatory digital care permission form, required by the state, ensures parental awareness and consent.
• Confidentiality: The app prioritizes student privacy and confidentiality.

The Role of Manchester Proud

The success of Project Happy’s integration into New Hampshire schools is largely attributed to Manchester Proud,a coalition of stakeholders within the Manchester School District. Manchester Proud has facilitated networking and collaboration, enabling Project Happy to connect with key decision-makers and build partnerships.

Impact and Future Growth

As of April 2024, Project Happy has partnered with 45 nonprofits in New Hampshire. The association continues to expand its reach, aiming to make mental health support more accessible to all students in the state. Potvin emphasizes the app’s potential to destigmatize mental health and empower students to prioritize their well-being.

Key Takeaways

• Project Happy is a New Hampshire app designed to connect students with mental health resources.
• The app addresses common barriers to accessing mental health support, such as stigma and accessibility.
• Integration with schools and parental consent are key features of the platform.
• Manchester Proud has played a crucial role in facilitating Project Happy’s growth and impact.

The future of Project Happy looks promising. As awareness of mental health issues continues to grow, and as technology plays an increasingly significant role in healthcare, platforms like Project happy will be essential in ensuring that young people have the support they need to thrive.