Once Upon Our Time Capsule

WE Connect youth across classrooms, communities, and time.

Much more than a collection of artifacts, our annual Youth Time Capsule engages thousands of kids every year in sharing their unique stories and perspectives, building a generation of confident, connected, and empathetic youth.

How it works

Every June, we launch a new annual Youth Time Capsule (our digital platform for youth stories) and a supporting arts-infused curriculum to engage youth in reflection and dialog.

In schools, after school programs, homeless shelters, and more, youth contribute artifacts into the platform capturing their meaningful moments, experiences, and perspectives, and explore submissions from peers.

On December 31, the annual Youth Time Capsule is closed for 10 years. With each new Youth Time Capsule, we are working toward building the largest digital record of youth stories.

why we do what we do

Once Upon Our Time Capsule addresses a critical gap highlighted by youth workers and teachers amid a growing mental health crisis: the need for creative, evidence-based programs to help youth feel more connected to their peers.

Our core activities, centered around storytelling and exploring peers' stories, utilize proven strategies to enhance youth's sense of connectedness, social belonging, and self-worth—crucial factors for their overall well-being and mental health. Using the time capsule as an engaging "hook," youth are guided to reflect on and share their own stories and perspectives through various mediums.

impact

By reimagining the time capsule for today's youth, we invite them to explore their past, understand the present, and dream about the future. Our time capsule is digital, providing an updated take on an old tradition. Supported by a dynamic curriculum which can be deployed in a variety of settings, we encourage kids to share their unique stories with each other and the world.

Through the process of contributing to the Youth Time Capsule, youth reflect on their personal growth and achievements, their values, and their communities. They articulate their experiences, perspectives, and dreams through writing, art, and digital media. Along the way, they build their sense of self-worth.
Research consistently shows that individuals with higher levels of self-worth are more resilient to stress, less likely to develop mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and more likely to engage in healthy behaviors.
Social belonging is a universal need. Research shows that when children feel socially connected to and accepted by others, they experience better physical and mental well-being and they even perform better in school. Once Upon Our Time Capsule fosters a sense of belonging by valuing diversity, encouraging connection, and empowering youth to be their authentic selves within the community.
Once Upon Our Time Capsule promotes empathy by providing a needed platform for sharing, listening, and learning from diverse - and personal - stories and experiences. Ultimately, this fosters a greater sense of understanding and compassion among participants, and builds stronger communities.