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Why I'm Stand-Up Paddle Boarding 18 Miles

And how Paddlers for Humanity is helping better children's lives.

Stephanie Haenn

Jul 19, 2016

Johns Hopkins University

Why I'm Stand-Up Paddle Boarding 18 Miles

KDHamptons

The journey from Montauk to Block island is a long one... But the journey for a child battling mental health issues is even more strenuous.

Paddlers for Humanity, a non-profit organization benefitting children suffering from mental health disorders, hosts the Block Island Challenge, an 18-mile cross-ocean paddle starting on the coast of Montauk and ending on Block Island's shoreline. The event benefits youth who struggle with their mental health. Mental health is an under-addressed calamity, especially in young children. With the upcoming 11th anniversary of the Block Island Challenge, Paddlers for Humanity has raised over $700,000 for the cause, directly illuminating mental health issues and combatting them with firsthand attention. According to the organization's website, Paddlers for Humanity's primary goal includes "supporting innovative and comprehensive mental health programs for kids and youth, including greater early intervention outreach, resiliency, anti-bullying, and changing behavior through a focus on the positive."

The persistent paddlers, transporting from Montauk to Block Island on kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes, traverse across the sea with one common goal: to bring hope to children suffering from their fears and sadness. With each scoop of water pushed behind them, they've pushed a stride closer to attaining their goal. The constant slosh of the ocean, the fear of the deep unknown, and the glimmer of hope sunlight sprinkles across the rippling tide all incite a desire to reach not only Block Island but also the goal of improving children's mentalities.

My uncle has participated in this somewhat daunting yet ever inspiring feat for six years, now. This year, I'm joining him for the 18-mile paddle. Each participant commits to raising a minimum of $1500 for Paddlers for Humanity. Please consider supporting my endeavors and contributing to the efforts to fund youth mental health programs with a small donation here.

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Why I'm Stand-Up Paddle Boarding 18 Miles

And how Paddlers for Humanity is helping better children's lives.

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No one best represents the struggle like our favorite 90s squad.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

When your capability of "adulting" is put to the test

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What are the benefits of raising the minimum wage?

What are the states that have set a $15/hour minimum wage?

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4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

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9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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