ABOUT
Championing fair, high-quality education for all
We guide educators to create classrooms where students feel safe, valued,
and inspired to learn.
LET'S DISRUPT EDUCATION FOR GOOD.
Educational systems were not created for equal outcomes.
There’s a growing gap among races and a disconnect between educators
and students – threatening the future of our communities.
* A minoritized community refers to a group facing societal discrimination, due to race, socioeconomic status, or other.
Educational inequality is widening.
Schools lack
mental health support.
mental health support.
Schools are failing in their fundamental mission: to create an environment for learning, growth, and trusted relationships.
We need to cultivate places of belonging, not places of exclusion.
FROM A COLLAPSING EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
Imagine a world where both students’ and educators’ needs are met…
Vision
In the next decade, HFC will replace systems of oppression with educational equity and excellence. We’ll ignite courageous conversations, moving from blame to empowerment, and lead the community toward growth and enlightenment.
Mission
Our mission is to co-create nurturing spaces where students feel safe to share their voices and enjoy learning.
We support educators against burnout and equip them with tools for a purposeful educational experience.
We support educators against burnout and equip them with tools for a purposeful educational experience.
Our Values
At Healing for Change, we believe in inclusivity, empathy, life-long learning, and transformative action. Our core values are:
Time helps but therapy heals.
Samatra Downing - Our Founder
A healer and anti-racist disruptor
Samatra Downing, the visionary leader of Healing for Change, is a credentialed therapist and principal with 20+ years in education, counseling, and leadership. A graduate of San Jose State University, Samatra earned her BA in Social Work and later, her MSW in Pupil Personnel Service Credentials. Familiar with the challenges educators and students navigate, from academic pressures to emotional hardships, she deeply empathizes with the feelings of burnout and students feeling unnoticed. This fueled her drive to establish Healing for Change to disrupt the educational system. Samatra uses a positive strength-based approach, enriching education with genuine empathy, humility, and fresh perspectives.