OGDENSBURG – St. Lawrence County People Project volunteers have been busy providing winter coats, new youth sneakers and visits by Gizmo the therapy dog at local schools.

The People Project, in partnership with the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau and its team of Teen Ambassadors, also helps school districts and students in many ways, according to Mary Wills, Director of the SLC People Project.

“Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Education '' is a program designed for third and fourth graders, but Wills hopes to expand the program.

Gizmo, a small therapy dog, introduces mental health in a non-threatening, age-appropriate way.  There is no cost to schools.

“We’ve been hearing from schools that early intervention in this area is really needed.  There’s a new program that uses the same message but is geared for K-2. Our hope is to get enough funding to be able to pilot this program next fall.” said Wills.

The new program would be a spin-off of the original Gizmo project, but is meant for the early childhood learners. The language is simplified, the lessons are shorter and there are more hands-on learning opportunities.

“The sooner children learn how to manage their feelings and where to turn for help, the more successful they will be at staying emotionally and behaviorally healthy,” Wills said. “Young children with anxiety or depression, often present as behavior problems because they do not understand why they are feeling as they do, and they don't know what to do with those feelings and emotions.”.

She said an evidence-based safety plan is utilized as a framework and teaches children how to care for one’s own mental health through self-identification of warning signs and coping skills.  The children are also taught the concept of a trusted adult and when it is important to reach out to one.

 The lessons end with a visit from a live emotional support dog, and the children really seem to enjoy the whole experience, Wills said.

The new Gizmo program would be set up for each classroom to have three visits a year if they are able to get the needed funding.

“Our hope is that the general atmosphere in each classroom will improve and that these young students will begin to develop lifelong skills to help them manage their mental health,” Wills said

The non-profit’s next project is called “My New Sneaker” and will provide brand-new athletic shoes in sizes toddler 6 to youth 5.  “As a former elementary school teacher, I remember how quickly children outgrew their sneakers. I’ve also seen them trying to wear their older siblings’ shoes that just don’t fit. It becomes a safety concern when a child has ill-fitting footwear,” said Wills.

The sneakers will be distributed to area schools for children whose sneakers have either been outgrown or outworn. The shoes come in stylish colors and are light and comfortable with a thick rubber sole.  

“It’s often difficult for families to find the resources to replace the shoes, when they are struggling with heat, food and other bills,” she said. “We want to help by taking this one worry off the table.”  

Wills said the organization will accept monetary donations and get the sneakers through a partnership with Operation Warm, a non-profit organization in Pennsylvania, that manufactures the sneakers for children.

The St. Lawrence County People Project recently met their goal of $10,000 and provided coats, boots, hats and mittens to around 200 local students.