About PSF:

In Loving Memory

The overriding spirit of the Pratyush Sinha Foundation is the vision of our son Pratyush, whose humanity and caring for the less fortunate, is behind each endeavor of this foundation.

Years ago when I compared the contribution of Bill Gates to an average person, who devoted a certain portion of his salary to helping the less fortunate, his response had jolted me to realization. He said, "Mom, if somebody gives up their last piece of bread to the hungry, is their contribution any less than Bill Gates?" We have to do what we can to make our community and this world a better place for our kids.

We are his hands and doing what he would have done.

Our Work:

Our Curriculum:

Our program offers age-appropriate, trauma informed mindfulness and inquiry-based practices for grades
1-12. Program is research based, developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive.

Mindfulness Builds:

Self-Awareness and Management
Emotional Regulation & Compassion
Social Awareness and Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision-Making

We believe that human agency is needed in these difficult times when the most vulnerable members of our community, the children are at risk. It takes a village to raise a child. We are part of the at village, joining forces for collective impact.

The New ABC

01/

Whole School Mindfulness in all 15 Elementary Schools of Allentown School District:

This unique opportunity has come about as a result of a Grant received under Senator Browne’s leadership from the Safe Schools Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This state funding specifically allows PSF instructors to teach mindfulness in all 15 Allentown School District (ASD) Elementary Schools. We will impact nearly 350 classrooms, and each classroom in each of the 15 schools will receive 48 classes over a 3-year period. We are now in the 2nd year of this program.

To help ensure the success of our programs, we are creating learning opportunities for the adults who care for and influence the children in their daily lives. We provide mindfulness instruction at one-off events for ASD such as Back-to-School Nights and Open Houses; Mindful Parenting classes; and Mindfulness Basics seminars for ASD faculty and staff. Also, we are honored to partner with Senator Browne’s office at Kids Discovery Expo at Da Vinci Science Center, an annual event designed to educate and entertain youth.

Again, we want to thank Senator Pat Browne for his willingness to lead and to invest in the future of our kids and our community.

02/

Middle School Mindfulness:

We believe that it is important to continue nurturing the emotional and self-regulation skills of the children transitioning to adolescence in the middle school environment.

03/

Mindfulness for High School Students:

The 3 pillars of our High School Program are Awareness, Connection, and Purpose. We integrate social emotional learning (SEL) through restorative and mindfulness practices. Special focus is on providing the students tools to handle the stressors in their lives caused by trauma, disconnection, peer pressure, and absence of self-esteem with over-active inner critic.

All the mindfulness programs focus on helping children and adolescents understand their CHOICES. The awareness of choices empowers the students to chart their inner and outer journey, which results in compassionate and resilient human beings. The path of mindfulness creates a beautiful alchemy between individual good and social good.

04/

After School Yoga:

For more than 7 years, PSF has been teaching after school yoga to elementary and middle schools in Allentown. These classes offer stretching and strengthening of the muscles, which in turn, supports the developing bones of growing children and adolescents. Children develop flexibility – physically and mentally; learn balance on and off the mat; and grow the soft skills necessary for positive life outcomes.

05/

Trauma Informed Mindfulness and Yoga for Teachers, Para-Professionals, Parents, and Volunteers:

We believe that this is the key to changing the culture in schools and community.

Our Board:

Highly energized, committed leaders who care for the community they live in and are focused on guiding the Pratyush Sinha Foundation towards realizing its goals.

Judith Hunsicker,
President

FEO, COO, CFO,
Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley

Janet F. Mitchell, Vice President

Engineer, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Rev. Maritza Torres Dolich, Secretary

Pastor of Outreach, Christ Lutheran Church

Exec. Dir., St. Stephens Outreach Center

"Education is freedom from conditioning."

- J Krishnamurti

Katrina Pelekanakis, Treasurer

Owner/Instructor Sky Yoga, Manager Hanover Office Plaza

Elizabeth Ann Morris

Destination Services Coordinator, Cultural Awareness International

Jason Daniel Sizemore

Owner/Instructor Butterhead Kitchen, Vegan Cooking
with Jason

Prabha Sinha, Ex-Officio

Executive Director,
Pratyush Sinha
Foundation

Our Instructors:

PSF Instructors are committed, compassionate individuals who want to make a positive impact in the world. They come from varied backgrounds with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and extensive training in yoga and meditation. Additionally, all instructors have gone through training with the one of the world’s leaders in the field of mindfulness in education: Mindful Schools.

Alicen Arnold
Amy Dangler
Corey Shiner
Debbie Graul
Jan Milinichik
Lynn Schiff-Wiener
Jennifer Csordas
Nicole Miles
Jason Sizemore
Sarah Dennehy
Matt Wolf
Patricia Koury
Patricia Wright
Peter Bond
Tammy Long Ferry
Jennifer Miller

Our Research Development Team:

PSF is very blessed to now include a committed and enthusiastic Research Development Team comprised of highly qualified individuals:

Sara Martinez holds a Masters in Public Health Degree with a concentration in Health Educational Behavioral Science (HEBS) from Rutgers University. In addition, she is a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Ben Mitchell holds a Masters Degree in Data Analytics from Penn State University and also holds certification in Human Subjects Research.
Dr. Melissa Kamyab is an Associate Professor of Education at Cedar Crest College, where she teaches both graduate and undergraduate level courses.