Meet Whitney DuBarry / Sarah Thomas Mind & Matter (business name) | Founder / Program Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Whitney DuBarry / Sarah Thomas Mind & Matter (business name) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Whitney DuBarry / Sarah Thomas, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Sarah: I would say that a lot of it has to do with our message of empowering youth and confidence in the next generation of women. We’re a team full of women from different backgrounds and so I think we just really speak from a place of what we truly believe to be empowering mixed with psychology research.

Whitney: I would say what sets us apart as a brand and as an organization from other nonprofits is that we are doing it in an entirely different way. We are creating holistic programs from voices of a generation you know in our mid-20s and a pro of that is we can really connect to the children and teens we serve because it’s kind of a big brother big sister model. What I think is cool about it is not only does it help the kids that we serve but also provides a really close and supportive network of young adults. In our model, we’re able to be creative with holistic and innovative programs, that other nonprofits simply don’t have because of the way they’re structured. Our main focus is really connecting with the kids on a personal level – our programs are structured from the bottom up rather than top down, so we can really tap into the specific needs of the youth we serve and create our programs around that rather than coming up with something that is super clinical, and based on research, but a lot of research is flawed and isn’t necessarily based on BIPOC children or is outdated or doesn’t consider systemic racism and intersectionality. Basically a majority of research out there isn’t really based on the people that we are serving. In crafting these programs, we took elements of positive psychology and play therapy mixed in with movement for somatic healing.

Mind & Matter is the name of our organization, and that was started to fulfill the need for holistic mental health care for kids and youth, and young adults because there aren’t really many programs that incorporate play therapy for Los Angeles youth in need of services. So I started a nonprofit in honor of my mom because she was always an advocate for youth, specifically child abuse prevention. She was an angel in that way, and Mind & Matter was my way to honor her and my interest in the mental health space for youth as I was getting my Master’s in Psychology. Then Sarah had a wonderful idea for a SkaterTots, which perfectly aligned with the organization’s mission. Her dream was to create a program that incorporates rollerskating and self-esteem for girls, and we made it come true with the Boys and Girls Club.

Sarah: I was brainstorming with my girlfriend about ways I can actively impact people’s lives right now. I was unfulfilled at my job, I still had a year of my bachelors program to finish and I was just itching to make a difference. My girlfriend suggested I start giving kids lessons on how to roller skate, given that I had a background in professional skating. I loved that idea, and she also suggested how about you include some self-esteem skills too. And that’s when we came up with the idea of SkaterTots. But I realized I didn’t want to go to kids who could afford these lessons, I wanted to bring this program to the kids who don’t have access to mental health resources and physical activities like rollerskating. So when I met Whitney it was literally perfect because she had a nonprofit. It was like finding my missing puzzle piece and the easiest yes ever. And then we executed everything in like six months. The initial vision came to life so effortlessly.

Whitney: It was so easy – the way I see it is like a split screen. We didn’t know each other and Sarah was on one side coming up with the idea for SkaterTots & I was on the other side with Mind & Matter trying to figure out what the next program was going to be. We both had the same ideas and thoughts and brain but didn’t know each other, didn’t know a single thing about what the other was doing, and then all of a sudden when we met it was like the split screen became one. From then on it was also easy because everything we thought was going to be an obstacle just wasn’t. We were like OK well, how are we gonna get skates? Skates are so expensive. Then all of a sudden with one email to Impala roller skates, we got all the free equipment that we needed in perpetuity. OK like what about pads? Same thing. Everything with that was going to be the hardest, most difficult, time-consuming process ever happened in a split second and I think that’s when we knew we really had something special.

Sarah: Then we needed volunteers and with one reel post we had almost 200 volunteer applications. People sign up the second they find out about it and I think that’s what stands us apart. The programming of other nonprofits can be so distant from the people it serves and the greater community. I feel like we see the majority of nonprofits as doing x,y,z, but rarely does the community have an opportunity to get directly involved. With Mind & Matter, we have a real opportunity here to get the community involved every single week. And the people who are involved are so happy and excited to be making a difference, and support the mission, and just tell everyone about us. And that just really speaks to the environment we create at Mind & Matter. Like we just want everyone to feel a part of it like a family. I love it.

What should our readers know about your business?
What excites us is that Mind & Matter has become such a hub for creativity and fun even though the issues we’re tackling can be intense. We are able to bring together really talented individuals all in the name of helping the next generation turn trauma into strength.

We create events and spaces for live music, rollerskating, somatic healing, and general fun. SkaterTots is also creating a long-lasting community within itself for the girls we serve. After finishing the eight-week program, the SkaterTots graduates can become alumni and help with future programs, with the option to acquire community service hours. It’s becoming a natural, self-sustaining cycle of positivity, community, and healing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Our events were powered by Monty’s Good Burger and Savage Tacos food trucks. Thanks for supporting MM!

Sarah and Whitney’s vision came to life over orders of fries at Fig Tree, coffee at Little Lunch, and pina coladas at The Waterfront.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to all our incredible volunteers! There are so so many incredible people that have shown up, put in time, effort, and skills to help MM’s mission. None of this would be possible without them. Whether its an extra hand with the self-esteem activities, graphic design, photo shoot, or spotting the skaters, our work has been made possible by the donated energy of those that resonate with our vision.

Website: www.mindandmatter.org

Instagram: @mindandmatterorg

Image Credits
Tanner James Chergosky Claire Lejeune