The Sustenance Research Institute

To promote ​sustainability ​at the most local ​levels through science and education.

Sustenance Research Institute (SRI) is a dedicated nonprofit aiming to make a tangible difference in the way communi.es approach sustainability. Recognizing that sustainability is not merely an environmental maHer but a holistic one, we have crafted programs that blend traditional education with social/emotional learning and mindfulness techniques. SRI is uniquely positioned to undertake and scale this project as we have invested almost a decade of research and development into this curriculum and have piloted the program successfully two states.

The Butterfly Project is an ongoing initiative, aiming to reach elementary school children and to provide them with skills that go beyond the conventional classroom teachings. Each mindfulness workshop incorporates problem-solving ac.vi.es and discussions that will sharpen the children's critical thinking skills. The success of these workshops will be evaluated through pre and post-program assessments, where children's decision-making and problem-solving skills will be measured. We anticipate seeing the impacts of our program in children's academic marks and behavioral reports as well.

Testimonials

"As I reflect on my 12 years as a teacher and the 350+ I've been blessed to work with, I think about what I could've done better. Children came to me as young as 4 and 5 years old with issues that adults struggle to handle. Death of loved ones, divorce, abuse, and the never-ending cycle of stress. No matter what issues they come in with, my job is to teach them to the best of my abilites. Besides reading, math, writing, social studies, and science...I teach them how to communicate, how to handle anger, how to foster positive. relationships, and how to problem solve. I have limited resources, but using personal knowledge and experiences I do my best. I want my children to succeed in my classroom as well as in the real world. A program like, The Butterfly Project isn't just a want, it's a need. My students need this foundation to build their lives on. I am a true believer in fostering life long learners. My students need skills to reduce and handle stress, anger, etc. This isn't something you learn from TV, a computer, or video games. It's something that needs to be taught and implemented on a consistent basis."
-Angela V. (Mesa, AZ)