Lifestyle
Nonprofit of the Month: LookUp
The Hello Woodlands Nonprofit of the Month is brought to you by Randy Lovelace of Paragon Independent Insurance Agencies and highlights a local nonprofit organization that serves the Montgomery County community.
The nonprofit of the month is LookUp, a nonprofit dedicated to empower and educate families to live a healthier life by encouraging them to LookUp from their devices and connect with the world around them. Read our interview below with Gayle Cheatham & Tessa Stuckey, co-founders of the organization.
THE INTERVIEW
Tell us about your organization. What is the organization’s story?
Gayle: My story starts back in South Africa where I was born. I moved to Texas and graduated from Sam Houston State, and began a 20 year career in oil & gas. It was during this time that iPhones and social media started being widely accepted and I noticed how it was changing our lives in a negative way. Having two children myself, I looked to understand what was happening, how I can achieve more connection within my own home and how this is affecting our culture as a whole. This eventually led me to leave oil & gas and become a parent coach to help others with what I had learned, provide real-life answers for families struggling due to an overuse of screens and social media and inspire others for positive change.
Tessa: Tessa grew up in the Woodlands area, and as a licensed therapist started noticing that most of her young clients were struggling with some pretty dark stuff. As she tried to uncover the cause, she realized that most of them did not have an underlying traumatic experience, but rather that because of devices and social media, they had not developed the resilience and coping skills of previous generations. Their mental health was struggling due to a cultural lifestyle that most parents were unaware of. As a mother of four growing children, she became fearful of the ways of the current world–that most of today’s youth did not feel connected to their peers and the world around them. She conducted research on the subject and published her book For the Sake of Our Youth: A Therapist’s Perspective on Raising Your Family in Today’s Culture to help bring awareness and practical solutions to families in our current world.
How did the organization start?
Two moms in a kitchen one day, feeling defeated by their individual struggles to spread awareness and inspire cultural change, decided to join forces through starting a nonprofit. Sometimes we wonder why we chose this more difficult route, but the truth is that everyone deserves to be seen and feel like they belong. It became obvious that our culture is very tuned in online but less so in real life. Everyone deserves to have all the information on social media trends and unhealthy screen habits available to protect their children. Everyone needs to hear our message and have these resources in order to navigate today’s increasingly digital world. The world has changed significantly and there are a lot of struggles that parents are not prepared for, nor can they turn to their own parents for advice.
Through the nonprofit we are able to utilize the funding from those who are passionate about the subject, to help more people regardless of whether or not they can afford speaker, coaching, or counseling fees. When you’re dealing with addiction through numbing and disconnection, it’s hard to reach the people that really need to hear the message.
What is your mission and why?
LookUp is dedicated to empower and educate families to live a healthier life by encouraging them to LookUp from their devices and connect with the world around them.
We provide support and resources to help individuals and families develop positive habits, strengthen relationships, and enhance their well-being.
Our goal is to inspire a culture of mindfulness, balance, and intentional living in an increasingly digital world.
Technology is a big part of our day-to-day life and we believe in a life of balance and blending for healthy tech use based on each family’s needs.
We want to empower all parents with the knowledge and tools to protect their children’s well-being in today’s digital age.
Who and where do you serve?
Currently we are serving individuals, families, and schools in Montgomery county. Our goal is to serve families across the nation, and we do already have some members and speaking events in other states.
What programs and services do you offer?
Our initial programs are focused on awareness, education & connection. We have many other ideas, but with limited resources we have to keep it simple, for now. We are currently implementing this by:
- Hosting free community events to promote connection and share information and resources.
- Membership program ($15/month) – continuous support & resources for parents. Discounted access to paid events & resources.
- Ambassador program – for those members who want to be trained to host community events and spread the message.
- Educational speaking presentations.
- Resources for pediatricians, parents, schools, students, mental health providers, churches, nonprofits, and anyone who impacts the life of a child.
- Partnering with schools to define their device use guidelines, and how best to support their staff and families in adherence.
- Workshops & curriculum – examples include “How to introduce devices in a healthy mindful way” or “How to reset from excessive screen time.”
- Outreach & education through third party events.
What makes this organization unique?
We are one of the first nonprofits in the nation, and perhaps the only one of its kind in Texas, focused on empowering parents with knowledge and tools about the harmful impacts of social media and excessive screen time.
With an emphasis on connection, resilience and youth’s mental health, we specialize in specific resources and tools that can help fight human trafficking, cyberbullying, pornography addiction, screen addiction, and partner with youth agencies, schools and more.
We believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, and as such we partner with many types of organizations to give the greatest benefit to families.
How can the community get involved, volunteer, and support this organization?
- It may sound hypocritical, but there is value in adults’ mindful use of social media.
- Please like, follow, & share us – so we can reach more community members!
- Become a member or ambassador.
- Attend our events, host an event at your house or place of business.
- Invite us to speak at your school, church or other!
- We always need and appreciate sponsors and donations.
Where can the community learn more?
You can learn more on our website, www.lookupnonprofit.com, and the best way is to come to one of our local events! We have several coming up. MomUp, ParentUp, FamilyUp and coming soon DadUp with our new dad ambassador!
Email: heygayle@lookupnonprofit.com, heytessa@lookupnonprofit.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lookupnonprofit
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lookup.nonprofit
ABOUT RANDY LOVELACE
To learn more about Randy Lovelace, his “Referral for a Cause” program to help local nonprofit organizations, and Paragon Independent Insurance Agencies, please call (281) 298-0440, email rlovelace@paragoninsagencies.com, or visit www.paragoninsagencies.com/woodlands.
