The Hope for B.E.S.T.
a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization
Be the End to Silent Thoughts
Impact
$47,000 Raised for Avon Local Schools
Your Donations in Action
Thanks to your generous support, we’ve raised $47,000 in the past four years (2022–2025) — directly benefiting the students, parents, school staff, and coaches in the Avon Public School District, St. Mary’s of Avon, and Holy Trinity School. This education community serves thousands of students, hundreds of teachers, and many administrators, social workers, social psychologists, school counselors, and coaching staff. We believe that supporting a child’s mental health takes a village. That’s why the programs we fund are designed not only for students, but for their parents and school staff—ensuring everyone has access to the same tools, resources, and understanding. When families, educators, and students work together, we create a stronger, more unified support system that helps every child thrive.
Some of the resources that have been provided include the following-but this is just a glimpse. There are many more not listed here, as the full impact is too extensive to capture in one place.
Avon Early Learning Center
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Parent Separation Anxiety Info Night and Resources- Separation anxiety is common in preschool and kindergarten students as they adjust to being away from their parents or caregivers in a new environment
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Outside Agency to come in and facilitate
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Provide families with resources to take home
Heritage (Grades 3-5)
Toolkit for Educational Aides
Designed to provide educators with practical, ready-to-use resources that support the social and emotional development of all students
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Social Skills Cards and Sensory Activity Cards
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Mindfulness Coloring Books
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Self-Regulation Workbook
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Anger Management Workbook
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Hands-on sensory support
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Visual Support aides
Professional Development
(K-5 Disability Simulation)
All K-5 staff members participated in a disability simulation experience designed to help teachers understand the diverse needs of students with disabilities and strengthen inclusive classroom practices- the session emphasized that inclusivity means creating a world where every student can learn and thrive by adapting schools to fit students, rather than expecting students to fit into schools.
Avon Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Student Calming Center
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Providing a dedicated sensory space within the main office accessible to all students who may need a moment to recalibrate during the school day
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A safe and supportive sanctuary for students to take a break
Avon High School (Grades 9-12)
Local Speaker with focus on resilience, grit and overcoming adversity. These skills encourage perseverance, problem-solving, and a growth mindset when faced with setbacks, academic struggles, or personal obstacles. Students who learn to push through difficulties are more likely to stay motivated, achieve goals, and view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than barriers to success.
Testimonials
S.O.A.R Through Parenting Seminars
“SOAR through Parenting has been a wonderful program that has allowed families to have a provided meal to eat together, receive childcare, and be educated on a topic that is relevant to parenting. Without The Hope for Best, we would not be able to provide these meals to our families which is a crucial part of our program. Families have shared that without the meal, they would not be able to attend due to the timing of work and after school activities. We are so grateful to be able to provide a quiet meal to our families so they can learn and grow as they participate in our program.”
-School Social Worker
Executive Functioning Bootcamp
“We were also able to use the funds to assist with our Executive Functioning Bootcamp which teaches middle school and high school teenagers how to better organize themselves and plan for assignments. The students were thrilled to have water and snacks with them throughout the days of that program!”
-School Social Worker
Day-to-Day Mental Health Materials
“The Hope for BEST has assisted in funding various fidgets and calming materials for students to use when they are experiencing anxiety, stress, or feeling overwhelmed to assist with self-regulation. These materials are an important coping tool our students use daily!”
-School Social Worker
Calming Corner Toolkits
The funds from Lori's amazing mission was used to give every single teacher in our building a calming corner for their classroom. I aimed to establish a calming corner equipped with tools and toys to assist students in managing their emotions and overcoming classroom challenges. Each teacher received a personal toolkit containing sensory items, deep breathing posters, puzzles, and a weighted stuffed animal. This approach effectively supports students in handling stress, recognizing their emotions, and regulating their responses. The funds also supported a book titled My Feelings Make Me Stronger which teachers were able to read to the students before introducing the calming corner. The teachers were so grateful to Lori and the mission she supports for mental health awareness.
Thank you Lori for helping students at Avon East! We appreciate your generosity and effort to make everyone feel loved and included. 💜
-School Counselor
Speaker Dr. Knight – Lead with Humility
“Working with Dr. Knight was a transformative experience. His ability to foster deep, reflective conversations with our team encouraged us to examine our practices through a realistic and focused lens. He created a supportive environment where every member's voice was valued, leading to honest dialogue and shared insights. As a result, we were able to initiate meaningful changes that will positively impact all students, staff, families and our greater community. His guidance helped us move beyond surface-level solutions and conversations and toward sustainable growth.”
-Avon Local School Assistant Principal
“Most notably, we've started the work of authentic partnerships—with families, community members, and one another. This initiative is opening doors to honest dialogue with all stakeholders as we continue our work, focusing on mental health, relationship-building, and collective efficacy.”
-Avon Local School Teacher