A small resource can be the first step toward something bigger.
The Lantern Project is a community based emotional wellness initiative of The Guided Pathway Foundation designed to place practical emotional intelligence tools directly into the hands of individuals and families.
Through free resource magnets distributed throughout local communities, individuals can scan a QR code and immediately access guided tools that help them identify what they are feeling, better understand their emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and determine what steps they can take next.
There is no cost to access the resources, no account required, and no need to already know what kind of help you are looking for.
Sometimes people don't need another pamphlet telling them where to go. They need help understanding where to begin.
Why The Lantern Project Matters
Emotional distress does not always begin as a crisis. It can begin with a child who doesn't know how to explain what they are feeling. A parent who feels overwhelmed, a teenager who feels hopeless but doesn't know how to talk about it or an adult who knows something isn't right but doesn't know what their next step should be.
The Lantern Project is built around a simple idea:
Give people emotional tools before the moment becomes a crisis.
By making emotional intelligence resources free, approachable, and easy to access within everyday community spaces, we hope to help individuals recognize emotions earlier, strengthen coping skills, communicate what they need, and feel more prepared to seek additional support when necessary.
One Magnet. Ongoing Access.
Unlike a flyer that may be read once and discarded, Lantern Project magnets are designed to remain visible and accessible in homes and community spaces
One magnet can potentially serve a child, parent, caregiver, teenager, friend, or visitor whenever they need it.
The resource stays available until the moment someone needs it.
Powered by Community
The Lantern Project is made possible through businesses, organizations, donors, sponsors, and volunteers who believe emotional wellness resources should be accessible to everyone.
Community sponsorships help fund the production and distribution of Lantern Project magnets while allowing resources to remain completely free for the people receiving them.
Together, we can place practical emotional tools into more homes and communities — one lantern at a time.
Prevention Starts Before Crisis
The CDC identifies positive coping skills, strong social connections, stable relationships, and supportive environments among factors associated with positive mental health. For children and adolescents, strengthening protective factors during critical developmental stages can be especially important.
The Lantern Project helps bring this prevention focused approach into the community by making emotional intelligence education available wherever people already live, work, learn, gather and receive services.
What Is The Lantern Project?
The Lantern Project is our free community resource program. It delivers emotional-intelligence and resilience tools through printed cards and magnets with QR codes that link to deeper digital resources — meeting people where they are, in schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, and community spaces.
How It Works
Community partners (including schools, caregiver organizations, healthcare providers, and employers) share Lantern Project materials with the families and individuals they serve. Each card or magnet covers one practical topic, like understanding emotions or knowing where to start and its QR code opens a fuller digital guide for anyone who wants to go deeper.
Who It's For
Parents and caregivers looking for practical ways to support their children's emotional growth. Teens and young adults navigating big feelings. Educators and counselors who want ready made resources. Community organizations and employers investing in the wellbeing of the people they serve.
Bring The Lantern Project To Your Community
If your organization serves families in Southwest Florida, partner with us to bring Lantern Project materials to the people you reach.
