When our students walk into adulthood, they don’t just need diplomas — they need real-world skills that help them stay safe, confident, and independent. That’s exactly what our recent Car Maintenance & Safety Life Skills session was all about.

Character isn’t a buzzword for our students, it’s a skill they’re building. This Life Skills session with the Travis Manion Foundation’s Character Does Matter program helped students name their strengths and see how character shapes their future.

On a recent January evening, the tables at Robyne’s Nest were covered in magazines, glue sticks, and colorful cut-outs. Students leaned over their projects, carefully arranging images of books, beaches, kitchens, far‑off cities, and bold words like hope and new year.

Our Life Skills students recently celebrated the season with a hands-on cookie-decorating activity, complete with classic holiday films like Frosty the Snowman and A Christmas Carol playing in the background.

Recently, our Life Skills class welcomed Taylor Kourkos, a Sound and Communications Electrician with IBEW Local 11, for an information session on careers in trade work and union membership.

This month, our students took part in a meaningful three-part Life Skills series led by longtime volunteer Jim Holley about Coping Skills for Alcohol & Drugs.

Our students had a spooktacular evening carving and painting pumpkins, enjoying dinner with friends, and taking a little time to relax and celebrate the season.

Last week, Sandy Dorton from Project SHIELD led an impactful Life Skills session at Westminster High School for staff and parents, focusing on sextortion and online sex trafficking.

College Master Plan shared knowledge with students about vocational schools, certifications, and non-traditional career paths. From vocational schools and certifications to unique and rewarding career journeys, students learned how thinking outside the box can open doors to new opportunities.

We are deeply grateful to Amplify Greatness and Rachel McIntyre for providing our students with such a powerful opportunity through a 3-part workshop series: Harnessing Your Greatness.

Breana, Lissie, and our new Executive Director, Natalie, shared an overview of Robyne’s Nest programs at Marina High School’s MTSS meeting. From life skills and wellness classes to ongoing student care, we’re continuing to partner with schools to support at-risk and homeless youth.

Students took part in our interactive Backpack Activity, where they learned how to organize their goals by priority — a powerful step toward building self-sufficiency and success.