HIA’s School Support Team Delivers Two Weeks of Impact

HIA’s School Support Team Delivers Two Weeks of Impact

Over the past two weeks, the Hope is Alive School Support Team has poured into campuses across Oklahoma with a focused mission: to educate, inspire, and activate school communities to stop the cycle of addiction and cultivate hope-filled futures.

By equipping young people with practical, science-backed, faith-informed tools for mental and emotional resilience, they are doing just that. Through assemblies, classroom sessions, small-group conversations, and even lunch-hour hangouts, our team is creating spaces for honest dialogue that teach students how to better understand themselves, their emotions, and their worth.

And according to the feedback we received, this season of school outreach has been one of our most impactful yet!

Casady Christian School: Helping Students Understand Themselves

Our two-day visit to Casady Christian School gave us the chance to speak to grades 5th–12th in settings tailored specifically for each age group. 

With the younger students, we leaned into conversations about coping skills, peer pressure, leadership, and the day-to-day challenges that shape their emotional world. 

With the high schoolers, we transitioned into a deeper dive into the neuroscience of substance use. Students learned how the developing brain interacts with substances, why genetics matter, and how early decision-making can shape long-term health. The goal was to demystify the science, helping students understand the “why” behind prevention and healthy choices.

Bishop McGuinness: The Reality of Social Media and Stress

At Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, we took a deep dive into a topic that affects nearly every student every day: social media. 

We explored what actually happens in the brain when students spend time online, how digital habits shape emotions, and why unhealthy coping patterns form so quickly. To back everything up, we reviewed up-to-date data about teen social media patterns and offered insight about how to create a healthier relationship with digital spaces.

Mount St. Mary’s: From the Auditorium to the Lunch Table

Next, we brought these important conversations to Mount St. Mary’s, where we hosted both an assembly and a lunch hangout. Over pizza, students opened up about the lies we tell ourselves and learned how to replace those lies with truths that build confidence and self-worth. 

Trinity at Edgemere: Building Calm and Confidence

At Trinity at Edgemere, we continued our mission of equipping students with practical tools by leading a session on coping strategies and resilience. Students participated in guided imagery exercises and learned the “name it to tame it” technique — an approachable way to help calm the parasympathetic nervous system and manage stress effectively. 

These strategies gave students tangible ways to recognize what they feel, regulate their emotions, and approach challenges with greater clarity and confidence.

One of the key takeaways was that stress is real, and everyone (even Jesus) experiences stress. Unhealthy ways of dealing with stress can lead down dark paths, but there are healthy ways to deal with stress. 

Powerful Testimonies From HIA Alumni

We were especially honored to have guest speakers Devin Scarbrough and Trevor Mathis, HIA Alumni, share at chapels and assemblies last week. Their powerful messages about enduring trials, recognizing value, and understanding self-worth deeply resonated with students across all campuses.

Notably, students and staff resonated with Trevor’s emphasis that our value, worth, meaning, and purpose come from Christ, and that no other source can provide a truly sustainable foundation for them.

Watch part of one of Devin’s talks below!

School Support Team Praise

“They were very professional! The speaker was very genuine, and you could tell her goal was to hopefully HELP someone else with what she knows as TRUTH!!!!” —Rejoice Christian School

“They connected with the students, explained things on the students' level, and made it relevant to them.” —Edmond Memorial High School.

“They provided meaningful content and had a very hospitable, welcoming spirit.” —Mount St. Mary Catholic High School

“I am so thankful this ministry exists in my community.” —Rejoice Christian School