In 2003, we launched our award-winning nonprofit with the mission to help people reach their fullest potential, no matter the obstacles they face. For nearly two decades now, we have been working with people in search of ways to overcome adversity in their lives and discover meaning within themselves. In that time, our objective within the organization has remained constant. The questions that first started us on this journey have not changed. But the answers have evolved naturally through trial and error, and through our interactions and experiences within the No Barriers community.
In a sense, No Barriers became a rigorous test kitchen, where we would see in real-time what ingredients worked best to help people overcome challenges. Tens of thousands of people have passed through the doors of that kitchen. Year over year, we sat with participants and engaged with their struggles. We listened to them in their lowest moments, when they felt the most lost or overwhelmed by obstacles; and we worked with them to refine strategies and tools that wouldn’t just get them through that moment, but get them through the rest of their journey.
And the result is a recipe that we call the seven Life Elements (pictured below). By bringing people on a journey through these elements, they come to discover that despite the barriers—both big and small—that each of us face, we can learn how to push past them, reconnect with our purpose, and unleash the best in ourselves and others.
Made up of interactive and distinctive content, the No Barriers Educator Community provides resources to challenge mindsets and alter how kids respond to the inevitable challenges they will face.
Join Our Educator Community Now!Global Impact Challenge
This is a national diversity and inclusion competition designed to spark the best ideas from students for building a world free of barriers, stereotypes and discrimination. Our goal is to equip educators with the necessary tools to help students dream big and break down barriers through the Global Impact Challenge. Winners receive cash prizes to invest in their ideas! Check out the challenge here.
Bounce
Through inspirational stories of extraordinary role models combined with authentic, character-building activities, this unique learning opportunity is designed to:
Ignite
No Barriers Ignite is a free curriculum that introduces students to the No Barriers Life and engages them more deeply in the first life element, Vision. In just six 30-minute lessons, students explore their own identity and values to create a personal Vision, then collaborate with peers to take positive community action.
Challenge your students to:
Climb
Classroom Kits
“This is an incredibly inspiring book; stories of people who refused to give up their dreams despite the daunting obstacles in their way. Each one illustrates “the indomitable human spirit” which I always cite as one of my most profound reasons for hope for humanity’s future. And when you have read it, and been moved and uplifted, you will realize that you too have some of that indomitable spirit and that you too can overcome the barriers that loom ahead in your life.”
–Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE,Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
Made up of interactive and distinctive content, the No Barriers Educator Community provides resources to challenge mindsets and alter how kids respond to the inevitable challenges they will face.
Join Our Educator Community Now!Stay up-to-date on new opportunities & community stories.