Our Mission

With a primary focus on positive youth development, we’re creating opportunities for people empowerment. Our goal is to arm youth and young adults with skills and tools to address trauma and lead productive lives. All programming is designed to inspire children to find their source of motivation, consider how actions influence outcomes, manage daily life stressors, and explore philanthropic opportunities.
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We’re inspiring participants to find their source of motivation, consider how actions influence outcomes, and manage stress.

OUR APPROACH

Our programs and community events are in place to help students unlearn negative patterns, identify more effective methods of action, and apply intervention as necessary to promote a sense of purpose and the ability to lead a productive life. The Missing Link, COPE Inc intentionally addresses various Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) factors categorized under abuse (physical, emotional), neglect (physical, emotional), and household dysfunction through interactive lessons, role-playing, mindfulness practices, and providing the students the opportunity to practice new skills each session.

The Missing Link, COPE In is committed to identifying youths (age 7-19) who are going to experience transitions into adulthood and offer a support system to avoid the pitfalls that can derail their lives and overall development. The Missing Link, COPE Inc collaborates with organizations, employers, schools, and small groups.

Our Programs

Interactive series of 10 workshops focused on elements of effective teamwork.
10 session workshop series assisting youth (and their families) in navigating emotions of loneliness, stress, anxiety, anger, and more due to social isolation brought on by COVID-19. All workshop participants receive their own Coping Box.
Inspired by our annual Cope Weekend event, participants engage in 10 workshops exploring healthy coping through artistic expression.
Introductory workshops to get conversations started and peak student interest in becoming more deeply involved in helping people have a voice. Encourages youth to lead investigations, interviews, research, and role play.
Annual back to school event established to condition the mind of youth in preparation for the new school year. Cope Weekend 2021.

Behaviors and practices exposed to children during the development years can greatly impact how children grow into adulthood, manage relationships, finances, employment, and eventually parenting. As a child develops, he or she yearns for structure and redirection. Project Coping Box is designed to assist youth (and their families) in navigating emotions of loneliness, stress, anxiety, anger, and more due to social isolation brought on by COVID-19. All workshop participants receive their own Coping Box.

Workshop Outcomes

Exposing youth to 10+ healthy coping mechanisms

Encouraging parents and families to openly discuss emotions
Students build self-confidence and their personal vault of coping strategies
Providing healthy coping mechanisms to replace unhealthy coping patterns
Enabling youth to determine which coping mechanisms are ideal for their personality

The flow and areas of focus are intentional. The Project Coping Box workshop series creates a safe space for youth to explore their thoughts, share perspective, and learn from one another. The facilitator provides parameters and redirection as needed. Our discussion-based approach empowers students to be vulnerable, build trust, and practice healthy interactions.

Every student deserves access to Project Coping Box as it can help us improve our mental health and resilience. We are working to expand our reach. At the moment, our workshops are targeting 4th through 12th grade students. Workshop examples, scenarios, and craft activities are easily adjusted to fit the interests of specific age groups. Workshops are typically 45 minutes to 1 hour in length.

Schedule a workshop series or request a guest appearance for your organization or group today!

I want to learn more about the complete list of Project Coping Box Workshop Series.

The new normal of masks, social distancing, and quarantining (courtesy of COVID-19) has added an unprecedented level of emotions to sort through, understand, express, and manage.

Project Coping Box has already helped young people in our community improve communication skills, build self-confidence, and adopt healthy ways of coping with life’s daily stressors. Since October 2020, we have distributed nearly 1500 coping boxes to children and families in Cuyahoga County. We set up resource fairs and Laylah coordinated two crowd-funding campaigns that raised a total of $6,160.

We are continuing the charge of making Project Coping Box accessible to all no matter age, geographic location, or health insurance standing. We all deserve access to tools like this that can help us improve our mental health and resilience. Project Coping Box shows the community coping is an issue that can be openly talked about so we can be better at lending support to each other. This is a simple, thoughtful, cost-effective way to make resilience achievable for many.

Accepting Donations

Email Laylah at info@themissinglinkcle.org to schedule pick up/drop off OR skip the hassle and order items from our Amazon Wish List.

Our Partners

Laylah Allen, has a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and an MBA in Management. Collegiate studies have equipped the Chief Consultant with techniques vital to managing programs and people, gathering data for root-cause analysis, organizational planning, and communication. Laylah has developed unique insight of what is necessary for successful youth engagement, assessing interests, providing connections to community resources, and promoting accountability.

She demonstrated the ability to develop curriculum, perform daily workshops, encourage mindfulness, engage participants, and establish community connections with the intention of exposing our participants to community resources in Cuyahoga County. Laylah also possesses the ability to communicate the value of and teach healthy coping mechanisms so those that she works with can develop and manage a good quality of life.

Laylah is a Certified Life Purpose and Career Coach especially equipped to assess skill sets, coach mentors through problem-solving, provide direction to strengthen weaknesses and position clients to lean into their strengths. Other certifications include Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, CPR/First Aid/AED, Suicide Prevention, Trauma-Informed Care, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Ambassador and Certified Steward of Children, Non-Profit Leadership Management, Workshop Facilitation, and completion of Neighborhood Leadership Development Program under the direction of former Mayor Michael White and Mandel.

Laylah performs all duties from a trauma-informed care approach with integrity and honesty. She intentionally promotes pro social behaviors, social connection, and strengthening the skills and abilities in all group trainings, programs, and workshops.