Why Donate?

Social connection and youth mental well-being are the top two priorities of the U.S. Surgeon General. Loneliness and isolation has become so severe, particularly for young people, that it has been declared an epidemic.

HuddLUp is directly addressing these issues. It’s simple, it’s effective, and it can be integrated into schools nationwide in a matter of months; but only if we can raise the money needed to train more Program Leaders.


Scroll down to learn more about HuddLUp and the impact that you can have.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General

“Lacking connection can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking daily.”

Watch The Video

The charts below show the national trends for social connection based on research collected and reviewed by The U.S. Surgeon General.

# of Hours With Friends Every Month
Read More From The U.S. Surgeon General

# of Hours Alone Every Month

# of Hours With Family Every Month

WHAT WE DO

Our work is focused on three simple principles: physical engagement, breathing, and inclusion.

Play

  • As humans are naturally social. We NEED the touch and physical interaction of other people. Sadly, many youth can go weeks or even months without so much as a hug or even a high five. Our games encourage physical interaction which helps with peer bonding and provides important stimulation in the brain that leads to healthy development.

  • HuddLUp Games create a real world environment to practice Social and Emotional Learning skills. Our games provide practice on the following traits: Adaptability, Empathy, Proactivity, Interpersonal Communication, Integrity, Honest, Resilience, Group Dynamics, Sensitivity to Others, Encouragement, Compassion, Optimism, Listening, and Positive Self-Esteem.

Breath

  • Slowing your breathing with large full breaths is important in reducing stress and improving your bodies ability to properly circulate blood. This is why we provide belly breathing practice.

  • An alarming number of young people are now breathing regularly through their mouth, rather than their nose. There is a lot of research that shows how mouth breathing leads to higher levels of anxiety. HuddLUp provides techniques to learn how to retrain your breath and reduce anxiety.

#HuddLUp

Inclusion

  • This is what motivated Jerry on his path, 20 years ago, after surviving a school shooting. The shooter made Jerry promise he would do everything in his power to make sure no child felt invisible. The pain of that feeling is what lead to the Rocori High School shooting, and so many others.

  • HuddLUp participants report improved relationships between peers and better classroom dynamics after integrating HuddLUp in the classroom. This leads to overall improved performance and in the long term, will lead to stronger communities.

Our Programs

  • Games App

    We are losing “Play History” and too often youth are spending time in front of a screen, rather than in physical interaction with others.

    This app was created to give parents, educators, and youth leaders more than 1000 games that they can play with any number of players, of any age, for any amount of time.

    Video Coming Soon

  • Classroom Program

    Young people often spend more time with their teachers than they do with their parents. That’s why we believe we can have the most impact by bringing HuddLUp into the classroom to be integrating into the curriculum.

    Watch The Video
  • HuddLUp Program Leaders Training

    HuddLUp Training

    We have partnered with Minnesota State University, St. Cloud, to offer an accredited training program to become a certified HuddLUp Program Leader.

    Additionally, we provide a 3-day workshop in St. Cloud to train educators on how to use HuddLUp in their classroom in order to reduce referrals.

    Coming This Fall

Transforming Lives

We surveyed teachers that used HuddLUp in their classroom during the 2022-2023 school year. Some teachers shared the written responses shown below. The chart shown here reflects responses to this question: On a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 represents “provides no value” and 10 represents “transforming lives,” how would you rate your overall experience with HuddLUp?

  • They’re able to put into practice social emotional skills that we are learning through our SEL curriculum. I’ve seen progress in the way they treat each other, lose, face social decisions and pressures. I’ve also watched students love each other better as they’ve grown in relationship through the games and activities that HuddLUp provides.

    Korissa, Koenig, Cold Spring Elementary

  • HuddLUp has been fabulous!! My kids look forward to it and are always asking, “What day is Jim coming?” Thank you for providing this opportunity for classrooms and kids!

    Kara Linz, Cold Spring Elementary

  • The options shared with the class have exceeded my expectations because not only did they share new ideas, but they provided us with the materials to continue implementing them after they left. The website created is outstanding!!!

    Shannan Houghton, RIS Sartell (Grade 3)

  • I can tell my class is more relaxed they associate better with each other and have built some great relationships with each other

    Jake Helmin, Riverview Intermediate

  • HuddLUp has created a positive experience for my students. They love the days we get to play and learn with him. HuddLUp has also helped me learn how to be more creative in my movement breaks and incorporating intentional breathing. I feel so much more comfortable playing with the kids and knowing they will get back on track using the breathing methods.

    Jen Spellacy, Cold Spring Elementary

  • I’d say it’s not only the team building, laughter, and movement, but it also helps after their scheduled time. They are more focused and engaged in the time immediately after our huddle up time.

    Brian Kothrade, Cold Spring Elementary

  • I love learning ways that I can help students regulate their bodies, learn about team building activities, and what activities I can use to make students move their bodies. My students LOVE the movement and breathing and often ask to continue throughout the weeks we wait for Brian to return.

    Abby Johnson, Cold Spring Elementary

  • I hope HuddlUp comes back next school year! Students NEED this!!!

    Jill Ambrosier, Riverview Intermediate School

Fund A Teacher

Cover the cost for someone to take our 3-day HuddLUp workshop in St. Cloud so that they can bring the power of HuddLUp to their classroom or youth group.

$500

Fund a Classroom

Fund a HuddLUp Program Leader to be part of one classroom for a full year. Read the testimonials above to see the incredible impact that this can have.

$2500

Fund A School

True change comes when everyone is part of the solution. A donation at this level or above can transform the culture of a school and community in a matter of weeks or months.

$25,000

Will you stand by while this epidemic spins out of control, or will you do something to create a better future for everyone?

Your donation to HuddLUp will help bring an end to the epidemic of loneliness and isolation we are facing today.

Please mail checks to:

HuddLUp International
PO Box 1042
St. Cloud, MN 56302

Or click the donation button above and fill out the form to receive a donation packet in the mail.