At 16 years old, Toni, SMJ's Founder, lost his mother in a car accident. Through years of grief and foster care, Toni found solace in writing.
When a high school guidance counselor gave Toni a journal, it became a safe space to process grief, navigate turbelence at home, and plan a safer future.
In moments when emotions felt heavy, when life was confusing, or when motivation ran dry, Toni's journal became a lifeline.
Years later, the COVID pandemic hit and Toni's housing situation became unstable, so the guidance counselor gave him a coloring book.
The coloring book became a creative haven in moments of crisis, a mindless escape that taught Toni to color outside the lines.
This combination became a compass through orphanhood and helped Toni discover his voice.
The mission of Social Mobility Journal is to share these tools with other youth experiencing homelessness: journals, coloring books, and mentors for long-term mental and socioeconomic health.