We empower our youth and the adults who support them, to create a healthier community.

Our Mission

Illustration of two green hands holding a large green and brown rock.

Mindful Child Initiative (MCI) provides high-quality mindfulness programs promoting the mental and emotional health of children, and the adults who support them, across the Lehigh Valley.

Our Vision

Simple illustration of a light bulb with a green background.

Every child has the opportunity to become a healthy member of our community.

Short term goal: with guidance, children understand mindfulness and use mindfulness practices during the school day.

Intermediate goal: independently, children use mindfulness practices during the school day.

Long term goal: independently, children use mindfulness practices during the school day, at home and in their community.

Our Values

Two hands holding a cell phone with a Wi-Fi signal icon above it, against a light green background.

The Mindful Child Initiative is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization and in the community we serve. As an organization dedicated to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for children, we are focused on fostering a culture of belonging.

We have significant work to do to address the structural factors that create inequity and oppression. One of the fundamental causes of health inequity is the unequal allocation of resources.

Our commitment:

We provide mindfulness education to the K-5 students and staff of the Allentown School District (ASD) throughout the school year, at no cost to the school district. We also provide reasonably priced mindfulness and yoga services to those beyond ASD.

The Mindful Child Initiative is inspired by our founder’s son, Pratyush, who strived to help others and longed for the world to be a place where everyone could find moments of peace.

A young man and middle-aged woman posing outdoors on a sunny day, standing under green trees with white flowers. The man is wearing a light yellow button-up shirt and glasses, smiling with his arm around the woman. The woman is wearing glasses, a colorful sleeveless top, and several beaded necklaces, looking slightly serious.

In loving memory.

"I founded the Pratyush Sinha Foundation over 10 years ago in memory of my son, Pratyush. Pratyush's name means 'ray of light' and he most definitely was.

Since he was small, he recognized the suffering in the world and fought for the underdog. He wanted to help others and longed for the world to be a place where everyone could find peace.

I started this foundation to carry on Pratyush's wishes, and it warms my heart to know that we are making a difference that he would be proud of. "

— Prabha Sinha, Founder

Our staff & board.

A woman with shoulder-length wavy hair smiling outdoors, wearing a blue top and a beaded necklace, with blurred green trees in the background.

Alicen Arnold

Alicen is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered 500 hour Yoga Teacher and Mindfulness Educator. She earned her master’s degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh and has been in the mental health field for over 20 years. Alicen has studied countless hours with the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in PA.  She continuously refines her teaching to include a powerful combination of modern psychology, yoga philosophy, movement, mindfulness and meditation; all while keeping classes accessible and fun.  She enjoys tailoring programs for various settings.
Alicen’s intention is to help people, of all ages, learn how to find and maintain a place of peace and contentment, even during times of turbulence. She believes breath, awareness, and gentle movement are pinnacles to well-being.

Alvin Johnson

Alvin is passionate about serving the community where he grew up and currently lives, Allentown. He went to school in the ASD from K-12 and later obtained his Master's Degree in Business Analytics from Villanova University then became a registered 200-hour yoga instructor.
He feels his life calling is being a connector and creating a space for folks to be the most authentic version of themselves, which he's done throughout his career in Human Resources. Alvin translates that mindset when he holds space with youth or adults by taking a trauma-informed approach with yoga and mindfulness.
I choose to support this mission because I know the impact mindfulness had on me late in life and equipping our youth with these tools will empower them to be more self-aware, caring, and loving individuals.
“Find peace in the midst of your fire.” –Unknown

Smiling woman with glasses and curly hair standing outside Hart's Inn at French Lane, with flowers and bicycles nearby.

Amy Dangler

I am a Mindfulness Educator and Yoga Teacher in the elementary schools. I have been working for the Pratyush Sinha Foundation for 4 years and started teaching yoga to students this past fall of 2022. I have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology, (1990) and Masters in Social Work (2003).
In 2019 I completed a Mindful Schools training, In 2022 I became a 200 hour Certified Yoga Teacher, and I am a mom of a teenager. I have been fortunate to have a variety of roles to support and facilitate children and teens learning and growth (camp counselor, childcare worker, school social worker, etc...). I believe in the importance of providing children with a safe, healthy, and fun learning environment.
I enjoy hiking, paddleboard, yoga, cooking, and cheering on my teen drummer at marching band competitions. I choose to support our mission because I feel that teaching and practicing mindfulness tools to children is a vital part of giving them the emotional safety, health, and fun that they need to thrive.

A woman with short brown hair, wearing a beige scarf and brown sweater, smiling in a cozy indoor setting with a television and brick wall in the background.

Britt Tagg

Britt Tagg has been practicing yoga for over 21 years. Britt believes that allowing people to enjoy their practice and to be comfortable with themselves is an essential way to foster a long-term yoga experience where the benefits are an evolution of physical and mental self- improvement.
Yoga has given Britt a quality of life that she is enthusiastic to share. Her classes emphasize the importance of practicing safe alignment, body awareness, and deep breathing, but she also tries to keep her classes light-hearted and creative.
Britt is a life-long artist and painter and her style of teaching yoga is clearly informed by the fluid stroke of a brush on canvas. Britt believes that allowing people to enjoy their practice and to be comfortable with themselves is an essential way to foster a long-term yoga experience where the benefits are an evolution of physical and mental self- improvement.
Britt has amassed a wealth of knowledge studying under internationally-known yoga teachers, as well as many esteemed local instructors throughout her travels. She believes that education never ceases and that wisdom can come from unlikely sources and this compels her to continually engage in new workshops and classes.
MCI's mission aligns perfectly with overall wellness. Giving children a jump start on coping skills and practices that equip them for all the struggles they may face throughout their days/lives is invaluable. It's an honor to be a part of providing these practices.

A man in formal attire with glasses and a bow tie, standing outdoors in front of a house with trees overhead.

Ed Sydlik

Ed is married with 2 children. His wife Darlene teaches piano in their home in the west end of Allentown. His daughter Stefanie and son David both attended school in the Allentown School District. Ed was active in the parent groups through his childrens’ high school years.
Ed is a retired analytical chemist. He graduated from Mansfield State University of Pennsylvania. He continued with post graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh and Lehigh University. The bulk of his career was spent with Air Products and Chemicals. He spent 30 years with Air Products before retiring. He spent 10 years with Intertek after their acquisition of his lab from Air Products.
Once again, he retired from Intertek. Currently, he has returned to part time work with Intertek as a technical consultant. Ed enjoys sports and exercise. He has been practicing yoga for better than 10 years and is currently enrolled in yoga teacher training at West End Yoga in Allentown. He has been a member of the board of Pratyish Sinha Foundation for more than 5 years. Currently, he holds the office of Treasurer.
I choose to support the mission because it brings the ability for students to bring calmness to their minds and the ability to deal with stress.

A woman wearing a maroon graduation cap and gown, smiling at the camera, with digital butterfly effects around her head, seated in an auditorium with empty maroon seats.

Elizabeth Walker

My name is Elizabeth Walker, but everyone calls me Izzie. I have a professional background working as a family therapist and social worker for the elderly community. Through my experience helping people of all walks of life, I started my own nonprofit organization called Children Representing in the Culture also known as C.R.I.T.C. where we stand on the belief that everyone has a child within them deserving of love. We focus on mental, emotional, physical, financial, spiritual health, and community engagement.
I chose to support Mindful Child Initiative’s mission through my continuance to work with the community on their health through the practice of mindfulness. I practice what I teach by bringing mindfulness wherever I am by enjoying nature, mindful exercise, and abstract art.

A woman with long, straight brown hair smiling outdoors with blurred trees and greenery in the background.

Erica Simmons

I am a native of the Lehigh Valley and have been practicing yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and became a RYT 200 about five years ago. I am also a school counselor in the Allentown School District and am currently at Sheridan Elementary School. I have seen firsthand the power of mindfulness in the schools.
I choose to support our mission because our children and educators need effective and practical tools to handle the big emotions of this complex world.

Close-up of a smiling woman with brown hair, blue eyes, wearing earrings and a teal top, outdoors with blurred fall trees in the background.

Heather Wight

Heather joins MCI with 10+ years of experience as an elementary educator. She has seen first hand, the value of social emotional learning in schools and believes that children learn best when they feel safe, supported and seen. Heather is grateful to have found The Mindful Child Initiative and continues to develop her own mindfulness practice both personally and in the classroom. When she is not teaching or creating social media content, she enjoys cooking, traveling, photography, and adventuring with her wife and two young children.
I choose to support the MCI mission because I believe that all children deserve access to a high quality education that supports their social emotional well-being. I am honored to be part of such a deeply caring team of educators and advocates serving the Lehigh Valley community.

A woman smiling, wearing a dark blue t-shirt with the words "PEACE Life is Good" and a daisy flower on it, in a colorful classroom or office setting.

Holly Moyer

Celebrating 25 years as an educator, I’ve taught students from pre-K through 8th grade, fostering growth and learning in various environments. Nearly 10 years ago, I began my journey with meditation and mindfulness in the Smoky Mountains, and since then, I’ve integrated these practices into my teaching.
I choose to support our mission because my passion is to help others cultivate self-awareness, reduce stress, and find balance through mindfulness. And what better way to accomplish exploring the power of living in the present moment than teaching in my childhood school district.

A woman with blonde hair in a bun, wearing a black sleeveless top, sitting outdoors surrounded by green plants and purple flowers.

Jacqueline Vogel

I have practiced mindfulness and yoga for many years. In my former career as an educator (elementary teacher and principal), I was passionate about bringing mindfulness and yoga to the students and adults in my schools. As such, I was able to observe firsthand how mindfulness positively impacted them.
Currently, I am continuing ongoing mindfulness training and look forward to beginning my yoga instructor training in the near future.
I choose to support our mission because I have seen firsthand how mindfulness provides a path for children to calm their bodies and minds. Emotional health opens the door for students to be able to succeed in all areas of their lives.

A smiling man holding a colorful 3D geometric structure made of interconnected plastic links, standing in front of a plain backdrop with a large abstract artwork on the wall.

Jason Sizemore

Jason served K-8th grade public school students in Harrisburg, PA, the five boroughs of NYC and Allentown, PA for 21 years as a teacher & administrator. Jason’s passion for the welfare of all beings who are within the walls of our schools and beyond has driven him to support the Pratyush Sinha Foundation by working directly with students, school staff and community organizations to provide self-care and mindfulness training and experiences while also serving as an advocate for the importance and value of trauma informed mindfulness education.
I choose to support our mission because I have seen the powerful impact mindfulness has on the lives of all who embrace it.

A woman smiling outdoors, wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, yellow earrings, and patterned leggings, standing with arms crossed on a pathway surrounded by green trees.

Jena Radcliffe

Bachelor Degree Elementary Education, RYT- 200, RCYT-95 I was an elementary classroom teacher for the Allentown School District for 14 years. Throughout my time in the classroom, I valued the relationships built with students and always aspired to help children understand their true potential, while knowing the value of their well-being.
Upon entering the pandemic, I felt a need and passion to support children-individuals beyond the four walls of my classroom, which led to my current work with the Pratyush Sinha Foundation and other wellness organizations. I hold certifications through Kutztown University, Mindful Schools, Yoga Renew, and Yoga-Ed, focusing on a trauma-informed approach.
I choose to support this mission because I believe that mindfulness helps empower individuals to love themselves, find regulation, live in the moment, and strengthen the mind, body, and heart.

Judy Buda

Judy was an educator in the Allentown School District for 36 years, having taught 4th, 2nd, 1st and Kindergarten for the last 20 years. She practices mindfulness daily while walking and hiking in nature and also while being mindful of how she treats others daily. Judy enjoys reading, crocheting and spending time at the beach.

I choose to support our mission because I saw daily how students used mindfulness and how it helped them to have a positive day. Being mindful helped them to calm down and make positive choices. I am excited to help more students learn these valuable skills and strategies to help them lead peaceful, mindful lives.

A smiling middle-aged woman with blonde hair, wearing earrings and a necklace, in an indoor setting.

Judy Hunsicker

Employed by and assisted in the 2001 startup of Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley, a community bank located in Bethlehem PA, and serves as the Bank’s Chief Operating Officer.
A yoga practitioner, on and off, for nearly 50 years.
A yoga instructor for the past ten years, and believe it provides many benefits for people in all walks of life.
Met Prabha Sinha during the yoga teacher training journey.
I support our mission, because it is important to me to assist the youth of our community to develop healthy coping skills for use now and for their lifetimes.

A woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair smiling outdoors with green bushes and pink flowers in the background.

Karen Paisley

Karen is the owner and founder of Crystalline Wellness, a business focused on helping others discover the self-love and self-acceptance they deserve. Born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, she attended Penn State University and put her marketing communications background to good use by serving various agencies in the Washington D.C. metro area.
Finding her way back to her hometown, she started a family and soon realized that her career aspirations had begun to shift. In 2021, she took a leap of faith and started her own company. Now a 200-hour certified yoga instructor, Karen is also an Usui Reiki Master and offers energy healing services, private and group yoga instruction, as well as specialized classes and workshops to those who seek them.
I choose to support our mission because the earlier one can learn about themselves and the world around them, the more enjoyable life will be.

A woman with long black hair, wearing glasses, smiling, standing in front of a brick wall, wearing a white top and gold jewelry.

Katrina Kiprizlis

Katrina has been committed to serving the youth of her community since 2006. She acquired a Master's Degree in Counseling from Villanova University in 2008, focusing her career on school- based and outpatient services in the areas of special needs and mental health.
She began her journey with mindfulness in 2019, earning certifications for Adult Yoga Instruction (200 hour) and Children's Trauma- Informed Yoga Instruction (95 hour).
Continuing her love for working in the school environment she completed the Mindfulness in the Classroom certification with Mindful Schools.
During Katrina's time with Mindful Child Initiative she has provided instruction in grades K-9, served as a community liaison, and designed programming for STEM yoga and mindful art in the community. Katrina enjoys nature and visiting her family's small village in Greece.
I choose to support our mission because it empowers youth to confidently maintain their wellness.

Khalid Taylor

Khalid is a documentary songwriter, teaching artist, and communal storytelling facilitator. He received a B.A. in Music and Cognition from Oberlin College & Conservatory, and is pursuing a M.S. in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University. Serving as both a board member and educator for Documentary Songwriters, he teaches other humanitarian musicians how to facilitate the collaborative, narrative-driven documentary songwriting method. Khalid maintains his private practice, SOL Songs, to help individuals and groups discover, share, and transform personal stories into songs using the “doc song” method. As a Community Facilitator for Reset Outdoors, Musical Director for Joyful Voices, and Founder of Queer Quoir, Khalid seeks to support and amplify voices on the margin.
I choose to support the mission of MCI because I believe that each person has innate wisdom--a deep inner knowing--which requires stillness, presence, and mindful attention to access. We need children equipped with mindfulness practices that help them rely on that embodied wisdom in order to help make the world a kinder place.

A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a white long-sleeve top and blue jeans, sitting on a wooden bench outdoors surrounded by trees.

Lori Tasci

Lori believes that EVERYONE has unique and important contributions to the world, and in order to do so, we need to be at our best, operating from an authentic state of wellbeing and connected to our truest self. TOGETHER in mindfulness, we remember, re-establish and reconnect to who you truly are and what you truly love, and REALLY enjoy your lifetime.
As an Advance Practice Nurse (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist + Board Certified Nurse Coach), Lori has cared for people at all ages of life. Lori often pondered the missing piece to alchemize the human experience that seem to tidal-wave people during an acute health crisis.
Lori is committed to serving her community as a (r)evolutionary Advanced Practice Nurse (RN) + Certified Mindfulness Mentor by bridging the gaps of eastern healing philosophies + western medicine.
In 2012, Lori completed 200hr yoga teacher training at West End Yoga. She has been attuned to Usui Reiki I + II by Nora Riley (2017). In 2019 Lori completed the following Mindful Schools programs: Mindfulness Fundamentals, Mindful Educator Essentials and Mindful Communication. Recently, in 2023, she completed a 2 year mindfulness meditation teacher training with Tara Brach + Jack Kornfield, under the direct mentorship of Eve Decker.
Lori, lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with her husband Erman, and 2 children, Amelia + Xander. She loves the outdoors, wellness, self-mastery, and connection. Lori is a Nursing graduate of the University of Scranton.
I choose to support our mission because I wish I had access to these practices + mentors of mindfulness earlier in life. Mindfulness has given me the tools + capacity to live fully as a human.

A woman with blonde hair smiling, wearing a striped shirt, in front of a brick wall.

Lynette Smith

Lynette is a retired educator who resides in Allentown and shares her time volunteering in the community and spending every minute possible with her two beautiful grandchildren. A graduate of Hood College and Lehigh University, Lynette was an elementary school teacher, reading specialist, curriculum coordinator, and elementary principal with Parkland and East Penn School Districts for 36 years, and an instructor of literacy at Penn State Lehigh Valley for 5 years.
Lynette is a member of Women United of the Lehigh Valley, a literacy tutor and volunteer at Central Elementary in Allentown, a volunteer for Fields to Families on Johns Island, SC, and a member of the Pratyush Sinha Foundation. She loves to travel, practices yoga, recently began taking piano lessons and reads voraciously, especially enjoying her monthly book club discussions.
I choose to support our mission because I believe that mindfulness is a powerful tool for children to develop focus, patience, compassion, and self control - all tools that promote academic success, and healthy personal, social, and emotional development.

A woman with short blonde hair wearing a white blouse and a silver necklace with a speech bubble pendant, standing outdoors near the ocean at sunset.

Maggie Zamirski

I have been practicing yoga for 20 years and strongly believe in its transformative power and potential to improve our lives. As a yoga instructor I strive to create an environment for my students where they feel welcomed, balanced and nourished.
As a Health Coach and Aquatic Fitness Specialist I am passionate about nutrition, body- mind connection and holistic approach to health. I love to share my experience through teaching and helping others live their best lives.
When I don’t teach or practice yoga I love to spend time with my family, travel and go for long walks with my three rescue pups.
I choose to support MCI because I believe in making sure that our children have the tools to appreciate themselves and to support their emotional well - being. Mindfulness prepares children to become resilient and build greater capacity to enjoy life and tolerate big emotions without getting overwhelmed.

A woman with short black hair, glasses, and earrings, smiling and wearing a white collared shirt with a red sweater over it.

Maritza Dolich

She obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Food & Nutrition from Drexel University, Philadelphia, in 1983. Between 1983 through 1998, she worked in the food service/hospitality industry with the Southland Corporation, Friendly’s Ice Cream Corporation and Aramark Corporation.
In the fall of 1998, after prayerful consideration, Pastor Maritza began her studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia where she graduated with a Master’s in Divinity in May of 2002. In the summer of 2004, she was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to the ministry of Word and Sacrament and called by St Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church in Allentown PA as their sole pastor and spiritual leader.
In 2007 St. Stephen’s, under the leadership of its governing council, voted to pursue joining with another Lutheran church to strengthen its ministry work in the City of Allentown.
In 2012 St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church merged with Christ Lutheran Church. The St. Stephen’s building was kept as the outreach center in the Franklin Park Playground area. Rev. Maritza was called to be the Pastor of Outreach and executive director of St. Stephen’s Outreach Center of Christ Lutheran Church. Outside of her pastoral work, Rev. Maritza is highly regarded for the best flan in the state of Pennsylvania and if she is not perfecting her next flan, she is on the hook crocheting all sorts of treasures!

Man with curly hair wearing a dark coat and a gray scarf standing in front of a brick wall.

Matt Wolf

My name is Matt Wolf and I have been practicing Mindfulness for 26 years.  I joined the Pratyush Sinha Foundation staff in January of 2018 and have taught Mindfulness to K-12 students in the Allentown and Bethlehem School Districts.  I am also a published poet, teaching artist, and a library paraprofessional. 
I choose to support our mission because I know first-hand the power a Mindfulness practice has to bring peace to our minds and promote happiness.

Smiling woman with short gray hair and glasses, wearing a blue scarf in a park with trees and grass.

Prabha Sinha

Prabha was born in the Himalayas in India and came to America with her husband and their son, Pratyush in 1988. Her love of yoga prompted her to go for yoga teacher training in 2007 and since then has continued her education.
After losing Pratyush in September 2011, she chose yoga as a way to honor him. And so was born Pratyush Sinha Foundation (PSF) in October 2012. The core belief of PSF is that every child has the potential to become a healthy, happy, and conscious citizen of the world.
We believe that this can happen when an alchemy of mindful classrooms, schools, homes, and communities creates the environment that fosters psycho-social-emotional health of all. Very early on in her work, Prabha realized that the after-school yoga programs were just a drop in the bucket and the children needed psycho-social-emotional support to process their inner and outer worlds in today’s complicated times. And thus, started the Mindfulness journey, which enabled her to extend the emotional and self-regulation skills training in the classrooms.
This work has continued to evolve and grow in answer to the needs of the community. Prabha is grateful to be part of this movement for positive change in our community.

A smiling woman with short gray hair standing outdoors in a garden, wearing a blue denim shirt, with plants and flowers around her.

Sara Jane Black

After a long and rewarding career as a Special Education teacher in the Allentown School District and a Kindergarten teacher at an inner-city private school, Sara Jane decided to begin a new chapter to focus on teaching mindfulness and yoga to children and their families.
In addition to her degrees in Elementary Education, Special Education and Reading, Sara Jane is a certified Childlight Yoga® instructor, and has completed training through Mindful Schools®. Sara Jane is passionate about sharing these tools, constantly seeking to infuse these life skills into the daily lives of her students.
I choose to support our mission because providing children and their families with positive, reliable coping skills directly impacts their lives, and therefore the life of our community.

A woman smiling outdoors with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a light blue sleeveless top with ruffled sleeves.

Sara Martinez

As a Public Health Professional (MPH), Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS), and mother of two daughters, she is passionate about improving individual and community health. She is a William Allen High School graduate ('04) and attended the Allentown School District K-12 (Owls! Bulldogs! Canaries!).
Sara recognizes the value of the nonprofit as a Public Health initiative. She believes that we can create a healthy community and better mental health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health and reducing health inequities.
Outside of work, she enjoys working on her mindfulness and yoga practice, spending time with her family and friends, and running.
I choose to support our mission because it is the shared responsibility of an empathetic community to raise a healthy child.

A woman smiling with long braided hair, in an indoor setting.

Shelby Lawson

Shelby Lawson landed at MCI by happenstance. She had not been practicing yoga or mindfulness on a consistent basis but unknowingly possessed the anchors of the practice, making it an easy transition. After relocating to Pennsylvania, she worked as a Procedure Coordinator for The Heart Care Group, Lehigh Valley Hospital and years later for St Luke's Heart and Vascular Center, Bethlehem. She decided to leave the medical field in 2015 and in 2016, opened Lawson Accessories, sewing lounge and studio. She has been featured as a Woman of Strength in Lehigh Valley Style Magazine, she has co authored Success Reimagined along with a number of Lehigh Valley businesses, sharing tips for entrepreneurship, awarded small business of the year from Lehigh Valley Business, a life-changing interview with PBS' More than Money, presented select pieces at New York Fashion Week and so much more.
During COVID, Shelby decided to focus more on her health, leading to a revisit to yoga. Accepting the fact that she loved the peace it brought, she decided to enter into The Yoga Lofts 200 hr Teacher Training Program becoming certified in 2024. Shelby now holds classes throughout the Lehigh Valley and Blue Ridge Estate and Vineyard in Saylorsburg.
MCI and the opportunity to guide kids through mindfulness practices has brought her immense joy. She tries to live daily with the motto, life is short, be kind. When Shelby is not designing clothing, instructing classes, or cycling, she loves being home with her husband of 35 years, her 70 lb Black Lab and her daughters, Terrier mix.
I choose to support our mission because of the internal improvement I personally discovered through intentionally practicing mindfulness and movement through yoga. The discovery appeared at just the right time. My goal is to share with others the power of the tools I've learned during the journey to mindfulness, balance, peace and joy.

A woman with wavy, light brown hair wearing earrings and a black top, smiling in a well-lit indoor setting.

Sherry Baublitz

Sherry is a mental health advocate passionate about empowering children and strengthening the foundations of our community. A parent of two, Sherry became aware of the mental health struggles that many of our youth are experiencing and felt a call to help.
As a decades-long yoga and meditation practitioner, she sincerely believes in the profound benefits of mindfulness practices and was driven to bring these tools directly to students and adults. In 2019 she acquired a yoga certification and a trauma-informed children’s yoga certification.
I choose to support our mission because mindfulness can change lives by helping individuals find connections in themselves and the world around them.

Woman with blonde hair smiling and holding a mug, sitting on a black chair in a bright room.

Tama Tamarkin

In my professional role as a school psychologist, I supported early childhood and elementary aged students in public schools in New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. My areas of specialization were diagnostics, Autism, and teaching Social Emotional Learning. After transitioning to the field of higher education for many years, I recently completed a program in Applied Behavior Analysis at Lehigh University and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Specialist in Pennsylvania.
I see myself as a helper and lifelong learner. I am currently pursuing ongoing training in Mindfulness to deepen my learning and personal practice. Through mindfulness, I have become more patient, compassionate, connected, and present in my own life.
I enjoy walks in nature, fitness, cooking, and spending time with my husband, three amazing children, and furry pup.
I choose to support our mission because I want to help children create intentional space for calm amidst the ups and downs and teach them practices to enhance their academic, social and emotional wellbeing.

A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a white fringed poncho over a gray long-sleeve shirt, standing outdoors by a river with autumn-colored trees in the background.

Wendy Barron

As a Professor of Communication at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), Wendy has been working with students from the Allentown School District for over 20 years. She has been a practitioner of yoga and meditation since graduate school and over the last several years evolved into her role as an instructor.
While on sabbatical in 2016, she was introduced to the benefits of integrating mindfulness and education. Since then, she has earned certifications and attended numerous workshops, retreats, and conferences to deepen her learning and practice. In 2018, she created, and now teaches, the Mindfulness for Academic Success course at LCCC.
Over the last several years, she has facilitated various mindfulness workshops in communities with children as young as five through seniors in their 80s. In addition, she recently completed the practical components of Yoga Teacher Training (YTT200) at the Yoga Loft.
I choose to support our mission because to walk into a classroom where students raise their hands to request mindfulness exercises, or ask if they can teach them, inspires me and makes my soul happy.