Our mission is to strengthen communities by empowering individuals with Social and emotional skills to effectively manage their thoughts and emotions.
Founded in 2020 by Emmanuel Keys, StudioFive10 was established to support the social and emotional well-being of youth during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns, social distancing, and gathering restrictions profoundly affecting young minds, many experienced isolation, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. In response to this urgent need, StudioFive10 launched online Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) workshops specifically tailored for youth. The impact was significant—students showed remarkable emotional growth, and parents observed positive changes in their children. These SEL workshops quickly became essential, equipping young people with the tools and support needed to navigate these turbulent times with resilience and optimism.
When students returned to school post-lockdown, they encountered new challenges, including conflicts with teachers and peers. Prolonged isolation had disrupted routines, strained social skills, and impacted their emotional well-being. Reconnecting in person required adjustments to new social dynamics, often leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. Some students struggled with emotional regulation, resulting in classroom outbursts, while others found it difficult to rebuild trust and rapport with teachers after months of remote learning.
StudioFive10’s opportunity to address these challenges expanded when Crespi Middle School (now Betty Reid Soskin Middle School) partnered with the program to support their students. Beginning with just one day a week, the program’s success led to rapid expansion, growing to five days a week within two months. Within four months, the initiative had expanded to include eight restorative practitioners working full-time across seven schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District and one school in the Vallejo Unified School District.
What started as online SEL workshops evolved into a comprehensive social and emotional restoration program. By integrating SEL with restorative justice practices, StudioFive10 effectively addressed conflicts. SEL empowered students with emotional intelligence, enabling them to communicate their concerns and empathize with others. Restorative justice provided a platform for open dialogue, allowing students to express their feelings and understand the impact of their actions on others. Through restorative circles and conversations, conflicts were transformed into valuable learning opportunities, fostering understanding and reconciliation.
As a result, school communities gradually rebuilt their social fabric, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere. Students learned to navigate conflicts confidently, and teachers gained deeper insights into addressing their students’ emotional needs, fostering a nurturing learning environment. Building on this success, StudioFive10 expanded its support to include not only youth but also teachers, site safety personnel, school administrators, and parents.
StudioFive10 launched various programs tailored to different groups, including students, teachers, parents, school administrators, and individuals returning from incarceration. By focusing on all individuals within the community, StudioFive10 aims to strengthen the overall social fabric, empowering everyone to enhance their social-emotional skills and contribute to a resilient and connected community.
We are dedicated to creating lasting change. Every step we take is focused on making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve and the communities we engage with. Here’s how we’re creating impact: