Hope Above Fear

Empowerment Through Connection & Community

Our Approach

Hope Above Fear’s Youth Engagement programs create safe, substance-free spaces where teens feel seen, supported, and empowered. Through connection, creativity, and leadership opportunities, we help young people build confidence, strengthen coping skills, and develop the tools they need to make healthy choices — now and in the future.

Prevention works best when young people feel a sense of belonging. Our approach centers connection first — creating environments where teens can show up as they are, explore their interests, and build meaningful relationships with peers and trusted adults.

Youth who feel connected are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and more likely to seek support when they need it. By offering safe spaces, positive alternatives, and trusted relationships, Hope Above Fear’s Youth Engagement programs address prevention at its root — connection, belonging, and empowerment.

Youth Engagement at Hope Above Fear is not about lectures or rules. It is about offering positive alternatives, encouraging self-expression, and empowering youth to use their voice in ways that build resilience and purpose.

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CHOOSE YOUR STORY

what is choose your story?

Choose Your Story is Hope Above Fear’s signature youth engagement program, offering free, experiential gatherings designed to promote connection, creativity, and prevention.

Each gathering gives teens a chance to step away from pressure and expectations and instead engage in positive, substance-free experiences alongside peers and supportive adults. Activities may include creative arts, wellness experiences, community outings, skill-building workshops, and collaborative projects — all shaped by youth voice and community partnerships.

Who, When, & where

Choose Your Story gatherings are designed for middle and high school students aged 12 - 17 years old. Gatherings are offered throughout the year, once to twice a month, and evolve in response to youth interests, availability, and community opportunities.

Activities take place in a variety of safe, community-based spaces and partner locations across Escambia & Santa Rosa County, allowing youth to explore new environments.

Why Choose Your Story Matters

Choose Your Story focuses on prevention through connection. When young people feel a sense of belonging and have healthy outlets for self-expression, they are more likely to make positive choices and seek support when challenges arise.

By fostering connection, creativity, and confidence, the program helps youth recognize their value and understand that their story is still being written, and they are the author.

TO LEARN WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER THIS MONTH AND HOW TO REGISTER

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PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Goat Yoga at Sunset Wildlife Connections (2024)

Goat Yoga at Sunset Wildlife Connections (2025)

Paddle Boarding & Kayaking at Bayview Park

PREVENTION IN ACTION

Ice Flyers Hockey game

Our first Choose Your Story gathering invited teens to experience something new together — connection, laughter, and community at a local hockey game. For many, it was their first time attending a game, reminding us how powerful shared experiences can be in building belonging and positive memories.

Pinspiration

Creative expression plays an important role in youth well-being. This hands-on art experience encouraged self-expression, confidence, and mindfulness — offering teens a positive outlet to reduce stress, explore creativity, and support mental health.

Sponsored by Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier

Bowling and Laser Tag at Oops Alley

This Choose Your Story gathering focused on joy, connection, and simply having fun together. Through friendly competition and shared laughter, teens were reminded that prevention can be as simple as creating moments they look forward to — moments rooted in hope, resilience, and possibility.

Goat yoga at Sunset Wildlife

Spending time outdoors, practicing mindfulness, and laughing together created a unique and memorable experience for teens. Goat Yoga offered at Sunset Wildlife Connections provided a chance to slow down, connect with nature, and experience stress relief through movement and joy.

Sponsored by Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier

blue wahoos baseball game

This summer gathering brought teens together for an evening of connection, excitement, and shared experience under the lights at a local baseball game. Moments like these reinforce that prevention begins with showing up, creating safe spaces, and reminding youth that they matter.

Sponsored by Escambia Children’s Trust

fishing & dinner at Steve's Farm

This outdoor experience combined learning, connection, and shared meals. With guidance from dedicated volunteers, teens enjoyed fishing, conversation, and time together — strengthening relationships while experiencing the simple joys of nature and community. To top it off, everyone had the opportunity to catch a fish!

Sponsored by Escambia Children’s Trust

Aerial silks with uru yoga

The instructors from URU Yoga and Beyond were part of Hope Above Fear from the very beginning — attending one of our earliest brainstorming sessions that helped spark the creation of the organization. Years later, they led our first Aerial Silks Choose Your Story experience, bringing movement, creativity, and empowerment to our youth. Their continued belief in our mission made this gathering especially meaningful, and thanks to their passion and support, teens left feeling confident, inspired, and ready to soar.

Sponsored by Escambia Children’s Trust

Cooking & entertainment

Through hands-on cooking and shared entertainment, teens explored new foods, built confidence, and made new friends. Chef Jen Knight, owner of End of The Line Cafe, led a hands-on lesson in vegan pizza making, while Magician Nathon Nickerson brought creativity and magic to the evening — even sharing a few secrets behind the illusions. Experiences like this highlight how connection, learning, and joy come together to create magical, substance-free alternatives.

Sponsored by Escambia Children's Trust

Open mic night

Open Mic Night created space for teens to use their voice through music, poetry, performance, and storytelling. By sharing the stage and supporting one another, youth experienced the power of expression, confidence, and community connection. We’re incredibly grateful to Dixon School of Arts & Sciences for welcoming us into their beautiful space.

Sponsored by Escambia Children's Trust

Hadji Haunted House

Facing fears together and making memories, this experience reminded teens that prevention starts with positive “yes” options — safe, shared moments that build connection, confidence, and trust.

Sponsored by Escambia Children’s Trust

Hope Above Fear is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, registration #CH72039. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. For more information, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or visit www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com

This is not how your story ends, it's just the beginning.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Empowerment Through Connection & Community

Our Approach

CHOOSE YOUR STORY

what is choose your story?

Who, When, & where

Why Choose Your Story Matters

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

PREVENTION IN ACTION

Ice Flyers Hockey game

Pinspiration

Bowling and Laser Tag at Oops Alley

Goat yoga at Sunset Wildlife

blue wahoos baseball game

fishing & dinner at Steve's Farm

Aerial silks with uru yoga

Cooking & entertainment

Open mic night

Hadji Haunted House

This is not how your story ends, it's just the beginning.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Empowerment Through Connection & Community

Our Approach

CHOOSE YOUR STORY

what is choose your story?

Who, When, & where

Why Choose Your Story Matters

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

PREVENTION IN ACTION

Ice Flyers Hockey game

Pinspiration

Bowling and Laser Tag at Oops Alley

Goat yoga at Sunset Wildlife

blue wahoos baseball game

fishing & dinner at Steve's Farm

Aerial silks with uru yoga

Cooking & entertainment

Open mic night

Hadji Haunted House

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