Together, the David Lynch Foundation and The HOPE Program will provide youth facing significant employment barriers, such as criminal backgrounds, histories of substance abuse and lack of education, with instruction and support in the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique - a highly effective tool for self-regulation and self-development. The impact will be greater focus, stronger motivation and long-lasting career success.
Many clients at The HOPE Program have had to cope with homelessness, incarceration, substance abuse, or other traumatic events in their lives, making long-term employment and job retention difficult. These individuals face unemployment rates up to 20% higher than the general population. The HOPE Program empowers clients to achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment and advancement by blending vocational, educational, and social services.
By integrating TM instruction into existing services, we will give clients a life-long tool to help overcome stress; allowing individuals to succeed in careers while living healthier and happier lives. Research suggests that TM reduces depression and anxiety by 50%, insomnia by 42% and is 2x as effective at reducing substance abuse as other conventional approaches. With TM, these clients can find relief from the shadow of the terrible experiences they endured and regain control of their lives.
Since 1984, The HOPE Program has equipped participants with the skills they needed to find, keep, and advance in jobs. Over the years, HOPE has studied its clients' profiles and employment barriers and has used its findings to create an effective program that addresses all the social, familial, and psychological causes of their unemployment and homelessness. By incorporating TM into HOPE's training programs, we will provide clients with a life-long tool for managing stress and self-regulation.
