The Happy and Whole Student Initiative

The Happy and Whole Connection is a youth and young adult-focused project that offers young people between the ages of 17-29 the tools and resources to experience increased happiness, fulfillment and success during a demanding and often stressful phase of their lives. We equip them with wisdom and techniques they can use for years to come to create lives they truly love living.

Our mission  is to offer guidance, support and training while helping them build self-esteem, courage and confidence.

The first group started at the University of California, Irvine with a handful of visionary student co-founders, passionate about creating a more peaceful, loving and fun experience of campus and student life. Our weekly meetings included meditations, laughter yoga, stress management and communication skills, as well as group coaching of life-skills. We laughed and played in a purposeful and uplifting way.

This mission also included a pilot of a novel self-mastery curriculum. The foundational course, Living 101: Being Happy and Whole©, got rave reviews and a second practicum course was added.  Our goal is to expand the program globally through creating means for virtual access, as well as a series of live and in-person weekend workshops; this model will allow us to serve tens of thousands.

As we set the stage for exciting growth that touches the hearts and minds of these precious emerging adults, we ask for your prayers and support for Ease and Grace! Please connect with us to hear what we’re up to, and send us your young people so we can help them launch their lives magnificently! Of course, if you would like to contribute to expansion activities via grant money or access to at-risk young adults, please contact Dr. Sheppard directly at [email protected].

Stay tuned for more information!