Empowering Teens & Young Adults
Inform. Inspire. Empower.
We give young people the information and tools to foster healthier decision-making — for themselves, their peers, and their communities.
Our Mission
seed+ripple exists to foster the clarity, confidence, and courage within young people to navigate challenging situations related to their own health & wellbeing — and to support their peers as well.
Programs are designed for teenagers in high school and young adults transitioning into college or work. We also support educators who work closely with young people around developing healthier decision-making and communities.
While there have always been unique challenges during adolescence, today's young people face additional dynamics that call for extra attention to their wellbeing. Our programming meets them where they are.
Over 20 years of classroom and community experience shapes every curriculum we design and deliver.
Each program creates space for connection, reflection, and building peer communities grounded in care and trust.
We believe in meeting young people with honest information and a focus on resilience — not fear-based messaging.
What We Cover
Our content is shaped by what young people themselves are navigating — not what adults assume they need.
Programs
From foundational high school programs to immersive summer institutes and gap year experiences — every program is uniquely designed to support young adults toward greater self-awareness, agency, and leadership.
Come spend time with other high school students who are passionate about being and becoming more informed and compassionate leaders in their friend groups — and beyond. Your own questions and topics of concern will shape the week's activities, engaging older peers, local experts, and a variety of resources to support students in their ongoing development.
Learn More & RegisterOpen to high school and college students throughout the school year. Topics include resilience, consent, sexual health, substance use, social media, sleep, and more.
InquireSpring & summer weekends designed to support students heading off to college — with a panel of current college students sharing insights, lessons, and resources.
InquireA flexible 9-month program (September – June) for young adults pausing between educational experiences to deepen their understanding of health topics they care most about.
InquireThe Summer Peer Health Leadership Institute is a week-long immersive experience for high school students who want to show up more fully for themselves and their communities. Participants will explore topics that are directly relevant to their lives — shaped in part by their own questions and areas of concern.
Students engage with older peer mentors, local health experts, and a variety of interactive resources throughout the week. By the end of the program, students leave with stronger self-awareness, leadership skills, and tools to support the wellbeing of those around them.
Our approach balances honest information with intentional reflection — including practices that help young people notice, appreciate, and carry forward the moments and relationships that matter most to them.
Peer Leadership Skills
A core part of the program is building real peer leadership skills — including how to recognize and respond when a friend or peer needs support. Students explore a range of practical, in-the-moment strategies for disrupting harmful situations with care, courage, and good judgment.
Session 1: June 8 · $950 per student · space available!
Session 2: July 27 · $950 per student · space available!
Each day follows a consistent rhythm — morning sessions focused on learning and discussion, afternoons diving deeper into skills and real-world application, and daily closing time for reflection and anonymous questions.
Program runs 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM daily. Topics are shaped in part by student input and may vary by session.
Location
First Lutheran Church of Palo Alto
600 Homer Ave
Palo Alto, CA
A note about our venue: seed+ripple has no religious affiliation. We partner with community spaces that reflect our values of inclusivity, belonging, and care for all young people — regardless of background, identity, or belief. First Lutheran Church of Palo Alto shares those values and we're proud to call it our home for summer 2026.
Complete the form below to secure your spot. Space is limited to 20 students per session.
$950 per student · Need-based scholarships available.
Founder & Lead Educator
Founder & Lead Educator
Our Founder
Monika Nagy has been working with teenagers for over 20 years. She has taught in private schools and charter schools, engaging thousands of young adults with information, reflection, community building, and skills for navigating life as a teenager.
Having worked in schools and classrooms to support harm reduction for so long, she brings insights and resources beyond the traditional school setting — helping as many teens as possible thrive and grow into healthy adults.
Monika's background spans classroom teaching, student advising, and collaborating with School Counseling, Deans' Offices, Athletics, and co-curricular offices. She began her work with a focus on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion — supporting students of all backgrounds to thrive in and beyond their teenage years.
Monika holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University, and has pursued her passion for understanding young people across disciplines — earning three Master's degrees in Counseling Psychology, Humanities, and Political Science.
She has consulted with public, private, and religious schools to deliver content and develop programming that is relevant and empowering, and has facilitated conversations with parents at all levels of K–12.
Who We Serve
Whether you're a student, parent, or educator — there's a program for you.
Programs designed to give young people the information, reflection, and skills they need to navigate their world with more confidence and care.
Small group workshops to deepen understanding of adolescent development and how to best support your teenager through high school and beyond.
Consulting, curriculum development, and professional growth workshops for educators, schools, and districts looking to improve Health & Wellness outcomes.
Get in Touch
Whether you're a student, parent, educator, or school — we'd love to hear from you. Reach out with questions, program inquiries, or to schedule a consultation.