GreenLight Brings Proven Mindfulness Program to the Twin Cities

Inner Explorer Improves Socio-Emotional Health for Learners and Teachers

MINNEAPOLIS (January 15, 2025) — The GreenLight Fund Twin Cities (GLFTC) today announced a multi-year investment to scale Inner Explorer’s (IE) groundbreaking mindfulness program into classrooms across Minneapolis and St. Paul. The tech-based program has been shown to foster resilience, emotional well-being, and improved educational outcomes for youth.

This bold initiative addresses persistent mental health disparities among Black, Indigenous, and Youth of Color in Minnesota, who are up to 50% less likely to receive community-based mental health services compared to their white peers. Leveraging data and insights gathered through listening to local residents and stakeholders, GLFTC identified a critical gap: under-resourced youth in the state lacked access to essential mental health services. 

Guided by community input, GLFTC selected IE to deliver culturally responsive mental health tools, integrating them into K-12 classrooms and community-based organizations to empower students, educators, and youth with the resources they need.

A nonprofit founded in Massachusetts, IE offers an audio-guided mindfulness program backed by four decades of rigorous research. Use of the platform not only reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, but also helps establish a foundation for learning readiness, which benefits both learners and educators. 

In Atlanta and Charlotte, cities where GreenLight has also funded the expansion of IE, the program reached more than 75,000 students and teachers last year resulting in a 30% improvement in focus and classroom readiness in Charlotte, and a 25% improvement in teaching efficacy in Atlanta due to improved student engagement and fewer outbursts in the classroom.

IE has demonstrated powerful results, with data showing that consistent use of the program can reduce disciplinary actions in classrooms by 45% and improve overall academic performance by up to 15%. In the Twin Cities, this initiative aims to deliver similar transformative outcomes by reaching more than 130,000 young people, families, and educators over the next four years. Through partnerships with 360 schools and community organizations, IE will provide culturally responsive tools that support academic, social, and emotional growth, creating lasting impact across the community.

“Inner Explorer’s mindfulness program has the power to transform children’s lives by giving them the support they need to focus, thrive, and succeed,” said Simone Hardeman-Jones, Executive Director of GreenLight Fund Twin Cities. “When I experienced my first mindfulness practice through the platform, I was convinced of its transformative potential. Investment in this program is a direct response to community-identified needs, providing culturally responsive tools that foster resilience and emotional well-being, particularly for Black and Brown kids who face systemic barriers, empowering them to thrive and realize their full potential.”

Parents in Community Action (PICA) Head Start piloted the mindfulness program in select classrooms last summer. After witnessing the program’s transformative impact, PICA has fully integrated IE’s curriculum across all of its 13 Head Start centers, serving 2,500 children, and furthering its 50-year legacy of fostering lifelong success for children and families in the community.

“I am thrilled to bring Inner Explorer to all of our centers,” said Monshari Chandler, Executive Director of Minneapolis’ PICA Head Start Programs. “Post-pandemic, we have seen increased behavioral challenges in children, alongside teacher burnout and staff shortages. This program has proven to be a powerful solution—teaching children to regulate their emotions while providing invaluable mental wellness resources for our teachers. It’s truly a game-changer for PICA and the community we serve.”

IE represents an opportunity for children to develop essential life skills that extend far beyond the classroom. With IE’s mindfulness tools, children gain the ability to focus, regulate emotions, and build resilience. It helps reduce disciplinary actions and increase readiness to learn, creating a supportive environment where every child can thrive. The long-term benefits are profound: students are more likely to excel academically, build healthy relationships, and navigate challenges with confidence.

“We are deeply grateful for GreenLight Fund Twin Cities’ support in bringing Inner Explorer to the Twin Cities,” said co-founder Janice Houlihan. “This partnership allows us to expand our program into schools and community settings, equipping thousands of young people with the tools they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We are excited about the transformative impact this collaboration will have on the community.”

The investment in IE reflects GLFTC’s unwavering commitment to address urgent community needs and advance equity across the Twin Cities. By bringing this proven mindfulness program to classrooms, GLFTC continues to break down systemic barriers and create opportunities for children to thrive. 

For more information, visit GreenLight Fund Twin Cities or sign up for our newsletter list.