Join the Waitlist! BLUEPRINT FOR CONNECTION Curriculum Coming Soon!

CONNECTION WORKSHOP

Curiosity and connection for all ages.

Blueprint for Connection is a 3-hour workshop or 3-part lesson designed for classrooms, youth groups, clubs, and workplaces. This hands-on curriculum works to minimize the skills gap of connection by teaching active listening, non-judgmental curiosity, and perspective-taking.

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the problem

Nearly half of Americans report feeling lonely or isolated

partnership

This curriculum was created as a collaboration between Nest, Dr. Niobe Way, and Holly Van Hare, M.A., Director of NYU’s Listening Project. This partnership leverages expertise from education, neuroscience, and child development to address the crisis of connection through meaningful relationships.

In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, we must find a way to bridge the divide.

Epidemic of Loneliness

Nearly half of Americans report
feeling lonely or isolated, with young adults almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely than those over 65

Echo Chamber Effect

Social media algorithms can reduce exposure to cross-cutting content by up to 45%, narrowing our exposure to diverse viewpoints

Growing Tribalism

64% of Americans believe people are incapable of having constructive conversations about issues on which they disagree

curriculum focus

Teaching the Connection Basics

Hour 1: 
Foundation & 
Connection-Building

Exploring the human need for significance through thoughtful questioning and appropriate sharing with peers.

Non-Judgmental Curiosity

Hour 2:
Interview Skills & Practice

Conducting structured interviews to practice listening with curiosity and discover meaningful personal stories.

Active Listening

Hour 3:
Critical Creativity &
Community Building

Creating simple visual projects representing partners' stories and sharing these as gifts to build community and affirm value.

Acknowledge others in ways that build trust and community

coming soon

curriculum FOCUS

Teaching the Connection Basics

Hour 1: Foundation & Connection Building

Exploring the human need for significance through thoughtful questioning and appropriate sharing with peers.

Non-judgmental Curiosity

Hour 2: Interview Skills & Practice

Conducting structured interviews to practice listening with curiosity and discover meaningful personal stories.

Active Listening

Hour 3: Critical Creativity & Community Building

Creating simple visual projects representing partners' stories and sharing these as gifts to build community and affirm value.

Acknowledge others in ways that build trust and community

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curriculum focus

Prevention Through Connection

Violence Prevention Elements

EMPATHY
COMMUNITY CONNECTEDNESS
PRO-SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Interpersonal Relationship Skills

critical thinking
social responsibility
Collaboration & Community building
upstander behavior
Expectations for healthy, non-violent relationships
Community Connectedness
Connection to School
Cultural Norms that do not support aggression towards others
CDC Violence Prevention
Child Trends' Preventing Violence Study
CSIS Youth Violence Prevention in the US

Student-led, project-based civic engagement curriculum

Takes connection basics to the community.

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Comprehensive curriculum for connection & belonging

Builds connection by teaching everyday life skills for healthy friendships, relationships, and communities - from the ground up.

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curriculum parrtnership

In partnership with NYU's The Listening Project, NEST developed Blueprint for Connection as a way for classrooms and groups of all kinds to build communities based on mutual respect. The Listening Project, founded by Dr. Niobe Way and directed by Holly Van Hare, brings five years of successful classroom implementation and expertise in teaching transformative interviewing skills. NEST contributes its research-backed approach to violence prevention through Significance Quest Theory and essential relationship skills development. Through this partnership, participants experience being seen, heard, and valued as they develop the skills for more resilient connections.

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Interested in bringing the YBH Curriculum to your School?