The FAQ’s of Ready to Hope
As we’ve been sharing our mission and vision in our community, we have realized that certain questions keep coming up, so we thought we’d take a moment and get them all here on one page!
If you have additional questions please don’t hesitate to reach out- we want to connect with you! You can click here to send us a message.
What is Ready to Hope?
Ready to Hope was founded when two moms (Christine and Cori) got together and were talking- for about the thousandth time- about how hard it can be to be a teenager these days. When we realized that we’d both always wanted to do something about that fact by creating something that would support teens, Ready to Hope was born!
Ready to Hope can be best described as an interpersonal immersive experience designed to give teens a chance to connect with a non-judgmental, supportive community, to discuss what is on their hearts and minds, and gain tools to handle the stresses that life throws their way.
What takes place during a workshop?
We have designed the workshop very deliberately, with the goal being a combination of discussions and activities, ideally scattered with a good bit of laughter. After setting some group expectations, we will spend some time on icebreakers and creating a safe space. The bulk of the time together will be alternating discussion and activities, and the activities have been chosen to help not only support the discussion and learning but to also give teens tools and resources they can take away with them after the workshop. And last but certainly not least: they will gain friendships (or dive deeper on current friendships) and a support network that they will know they can turn to after they complete the workshop and when life gets hard, as it inevitably does.
Is this offered for boys as well as girls?
Yes, absolutely! The content of the workshop is by no means gender specific, we recognize that the stresses felt by teens span all ages and gender identities. However, each individual workshop will be designed for one gender at a time.
Who are the facilitators?
Christine Hudak and Cori Johnson are “just two moms” but two moms with a big passion for (and years of experience working with) teens. We are moms ourselves, between us raising five teenagers (or four plus one who has already crossed over that twenty-year-old mark). Cori has over twenty years of experience in counseling and coaching adults and teens, and Christine’s experience spans twenty years of education and ministry. Find out more about us here.
What can I expect to get out of a workshop?
Our mission is that when you leave a workshop, you feel that:
- You have a community of individuals that care about your well-being and that you can reach out to when you need a friend, an ear, or support… and that you can do the same for them.
- You know yourself better. What are your gifts? What makes you you? What do you value and how do you want to make your mark in the world?
- You have tools and resources to take care of your mental and emotional health, and to lean on when things get tough.
- You have had fun and feel like you’d love to do it all over again, and maybe even mentor future workshop grads!
As a parent, how can I help support the work that is done in the workshop?
After the workshop, you will be provided with an outline that describes some of what we covered. Ask your teen about their experience. Ask what they found helpful. And most importantly: simply ask them how you can support them going forward.