This month, we are proud to highlight the Mindful Pause Initiative, a community resiliency program led by Outdoor Odyssey and supported through funding from the 1889 Foundation.
Located in Boswell, Pennsylvania, Outdoor Odyssey has spent more than 26 years mentoring youth through high adventure programming rooted in leadership development, shared adversity, and personal resiliency. Building on that foundation, the organization expanded its impact through Semper Fi Odyssey, a program designed to support veterans and active duty service members through intensive, week long retreats focused on healing, meaning, and resilience.
As the program evolved, leaders recognized a broader need within the community. Many professionals — including educators, first responders, health care workers, and community outreach professionals — operate in high stress environments and face sustained emotional demands. In response, Outdoor Odyssey developed Mindful Pause, a one day condensed retreat designed to help participants better understand the anatomy and physiology of stress, regulate their nervous systems, and build mental fitness practices they can apply in daily life.
Grounded in the principle of “regulate, relate, and reason,” Mindful Pause equips participants with practical tools to decompress, increase self awareness, and strengthen their ability to serve others. The program not only impacts the individual participant, but also extends to families, teams, and communities within their sphere of influence.
With support from the 1889 Foundation, Mindful Pause has launched as a community initiative with retreats scheduled for nearly 100 local leaders this year. The training provides tools, resources, and motivation to help participants care for themselves while continuing to serve others in meaningful and sustainable ways.
“One of the most transformative moments in my life, has been becoming a part of the Mindful Pause. Through General Jones’ leadership and 1889’s financial support, we are helping our community to find their own path to regulation and wellness through Mental Fitness. The experience is unique for each person who attends and it’s amazing to see folks find their “A-ha” moments. People then take away what they learn to their families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. The Mindful Pause is part of creating a stronger, more resilient community,” said Kimberly Roberts, Associate Director at the Center for Population Health.
Through investments like Mindful Pause, the 1889 Foundation continues to strengthen the well being of those who dedicate their lives to serving our region.