Nature Deficit Disorder: Saving our urban youth

by Sister Stephanie Hughes

Alice-Griffith-kids-bird-watching-1010-by-Sis.-Stephanie, Nature Deficit Disorder: Saving our urban youth, Culture Currents For many youth living in Alice Griffith housing projects, getting outdoors has been difficult. Many of our youth accept violence and crime as commonplace, which has led to behavioral and learning difficulties if not severe emotional and mental trauma for our youth and families.

The day to day violence and lack of opportunity to be outside their normal environment has subjected our community to Nature Deficit Disorder – children spending less time outdoors, resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems

Lazarus House has been able to engage over 120 youth and families on first-time outdoor experiences. Our youth and families have had the opportunity to go camping and hiking, with the occasional trip to the San Francisco Ballet. These opportunities have helped youth and families step outside their environment and experience something new and beautiful and fight Nature Deficit Disorder.

Our campaign

In order to continue our work, we are currently in a fundraising drive to buy a 12-passenger van. This van can help facilitate more opportunities for our youth and families. To make this happen, it’s going to take people like you to help!

Please help us in our Campaign to Save our Youth and fight against Nature Deficit Disorder. Donate and make a difference in a child’s life.

Donations go to Lazarus House Healing by Faith Ministry, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donate online at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/beneficiaries/82061/info, or mail a check or money order to Lazarus House, 5 Cameron Way, San Francisco CA 94124.

Sister Stephanie Hughes, founder and director of Lazarus House, can be reached at tjcjsons@yahoo.com.