FreedOM Youth Yoga
Creating World Peace, One Kid at a Time
FreedOM Youth Yoga is a nonprofit 501(c)3 dedicated to delivering mindfulness and yoga practice to kids and teens in the Atlanta area, especially those from underserved communities. Our programs instill lifelong skills to improve physical, mental and emotional health, build resilience, navigate life's complexities, focus intentions, and empower authenticity.
Board of Directors
Diversity. Equity. Community.
Freedom Youth Yoga is growing, and we are so fortunate to have attracted passionate individuals who are dedicated to the FYY mission.
This page is UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!
01
Code of Ethics
Equity
Added soon
02
Diversity
Details coming
03
Community
Details coming soon
Who We Are
History and Background
Jillian Dillard
Founder and Director
Summer 2018 Became certified to teach children's yoga through internationally-acclaimed Kidding Around Yoga
Fall 2018 Applied for incorporation in Georgia and received 501(c)3 designation from the IRS for FreedOM Youth Yoga, Inc. to be a recognized nonprofit entity
Winter 2019 Taught preschool yoga at Smyrna Community Center
Spring 2019 Offered Local After School Program Yoga Clubs
Summer 2019 Summer Camp Coordinator and Kids' Yoga Teacher at Windy Hill Athletic Club
Fall 2019 Taught Yoga Club at two local schools' after school programs
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Winter 2020 Became a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher with 200YTT at Marianne Wells Yoga School in Malaga, Spain
Spring 2020 Taught kids' yoga classes virtually
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Summer 2021 Marietta Police Athletic League Summer Camp Yoga Instructor for kids aged 5 to 13
Fall 2021 Taught virtual and in-person classes at local preschools, continued instruction at the after school program at the Marietta Police Athletic League
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Winter 2022 Researching grant possibilities and local partnerships for bringing yoga to Smyrna youth, while continuing to lead local and virtual classes.
Spring 2022 Preparing to teach at local summer camps, while continuing instruction at MPAL and Smyrna Montessori School. Formed partnership and class opportunities with The Healing Environment in Smyrna.
Summer 2022 Summer Camps at Marietta Police Athletic League, KOS Smyrna.
Fall 2022 Continued partnerships with the Marietta Police Athletic League After School Program, Vinings Academy, and Smyrna Montessori School
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Spring 2023 Recovered from major surgery; taught goat yoga with Our Giving Garden's Working with Animals Day
Fall 2023 Announced as a recipient of the Cobb Community Foundation CNP Grant
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Winter 2024 Began coursework to become a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance; Held our very first Board of Directors meeting
Spring 2024 Planning detalis for new programs to be initiated in the fall
Summer 2024 Paid programs and sponsored programs are being offered in several locations around Atlanta, including Marietta PAL, Smyrna KOS, Vinings Academy, and Project Access
How We Came To Be
After teaching high school English for 18 years, our founder came to the realization that our youth needed a stronger foundation in the parts of life that matter most: being true to oneself, having compassion and patience, making a difference, connecting with that small-still-voice-inside-us-all, courage for being authentic, kindness toward themselves and others, acceptance of current situations while setting intentions for the future, stress reduction, focus, and self-regulation. It is our fervent hope that the study and practice of yoga will indeed foster "creating world peace, one youth at a time." Our special focus is to outreach to groups who have been historically underserved in the Smyrna, Marietta, and Atlanta area.