MANY THANKS TO OUR COMEDY NIGHT SPONSORS:

HUGS FOR LIFE HEALING CENTER COMING SOON!

The Challenge

More and more children are experiencing mental health challenges at a younger age. The statistics are staggering; 1 in 5 young people now suffer from a mental illness.

The Solution

Encourage parents and their children to reach out for help and to begin their healing journey.

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The Big Picture

Our ultimate goal is to educate adults and empower children to reach their highest potential and lead happy, healthy lives.

Our Mission

Our mission is to improve children’s mental health and wellness and support families by providing educational tools, resources and awareness events.

We encourage adults to recognize symptoms, overcome the stigma and reach out for help. Through prevention, early intervention and holistic treatment, we believe many of the big problems facing today’s youth can be transformed within a generation.​

What We Do

There are four primary ways that ELF helps improve the mental health of children and their families.
  1. ELF hosts mental health awareness events.
  2. ELF creates therapeutic tools for children.
  3. ELF provides educational resources for parents, parents to be and teachers.
  4. ELF bridges the gap between traditional and holistic healing options.
​Mental health affects everyone, at all ages in all walks of life. Our multifaceted approach is particularly focused on children, but is designed to also reach families and their communities.

Piggie Bear®

The Piggie Bear character was created as a friend to empower children, help them deal with their emotions and feel really good about themselves.

Piggie Bear increases a child’s emotional intelligence by teaching them Piggie Bear tools. All proceeds from Piggie Bear sales support the Extraordinary Lives Foundation's mission to empower all children, including those with mental health challenges, to reach their highest potential.

In The News

ARTICLES

​​ELF is one of the first winners of a 2020 Top-Rated Awards from GreatNon-Profits.org
October, 2020 

​​Innovator of the Year Award Nomination - Orange County Business Journal - Airing September 24, 2020
August 17, 2020 

​​Laguna Niguel Lifestyle
May 1, 2020

​​Parenting OC: Emotional Special Needs: Mental health challenges can hide in plain sight.
Mar 26th, 2020

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES

Pastor Rick Warren & Mara James

Pastor Rick Warren and Mara James at CHOC Children's ground breaking event for their 18 bed psychiatric unit.

Tipper Gore & Mara James

Tipper Gore, former second lady of the United States, and Mara James at the Wonder of Women Summit.

Actress Glenn Close & Mara James

Actress Glenn Close and Mara James at the Child Mind Institute Change Maker Award Event in New York City.

Chirlane McCray & Mara James 

Chirlane McCray, first lady of New York City, & Mara James at the Child Mind Institute Change Maker Award Event in New York City.

Patrick Kennedy & Mara James

Patrick Kennedy, American politician and mental health advocate, and Mara James at Mission Hospital's annual gala. 

CBS Interview: Mara James shares how to navigate the holidays and tips for anxiety, depression and more.

MegaBiz South Africa 

Making A Difference featuring Southern Inspirations and Mara James

Mara James Story: Mission Hospital

The Piggie Bear Song

Piggie Bear® story time read by author Mara James and accompanied by Piggie Bear

Violet Loves Piggie Bear®

Sponsors

We are incredibly grateful to all of our generous sponsors.

Partners ​

We love our amazing partners!