Our Vision

JOYweavers celebrates joy, learning, and the wonder of childhood. We create trauma-sensitive environments that foster strength, and are designed to anticipate, support and respond with empathy to children’s challenging moments. The result is a place where children feel free to be themselves and open to new experiences and relationships. We are committed to problem solving with children and caregivers to ensure accessibility and maximize each child and family’s engagement and sense of belonging.

Sometimes, invisible disabilities like anxiety, attentional needs, trauma, or learning difficulties are dismissed, misunderstood, or met with punitive practices including loss of recess, seclusion, restraint or suspension. Such interventions are disproportionately used with children of color, those facing poverty, and children with disabilities; and, they rarely improve behavior or lead to growth. As a model of inclusive practice, and through advocacy, and collaboration, JOYweavers will be a voice for systemic change in the care and engagement of children and families.

Meet Our Executive Director

Mia Klinger, Ed.M., is a career special educator with more than thirty-five years of experience in educational, therapeutic, and recreational settings. She has worked with children and teens with social-emotional challenges and trauma histories since the age of 17, and co-founded and served as the director of a Cambridge out-of-school time therapeutic program for more than thirty years. Mia has mentored generations of young adults as a program director, school administrator, and as an undergraduate and graduate level instructor. JOYweavers is based on her experiences with children and families in and out of the classroom and her training as a certified practitioner in collaborative problem solving through Think: Kids. Our work centers on developing a community which both serves and is strengthened by the voices of children, caregivers, practitioners, and partners with the vision of promoting joy and well-being through our connections.

Core Beliefs

  • Relationships stand at the core of our work, both for how they foster a sense of community and for the well-documented and critical role that they play in helping children heal from trauma and thrive.

  • Accessibility: JOYweavers recognizes that ensuring accessibility goes beyond funding and transportation. We are committed to supporting families from enrollment through programming to maximize each child and family’s sense of engagement, belonging, and joy.

  • Communication: To build an inclusive community, we need to be mindful of our language and communication, open to discussing concerns, and willing to address any harm done when we do not live up to our values.

  • Strong connections with caregivers are essential to our work. They are our partners and the experts on their children.

  • Empathy: We believe every child wants to feel successful and please the adults in their world. Sometimes, they may struggle. Then they need empathy, support, and an opportunity to recover without shame.

  • Collaboration: Children develop self-regulation and problem-solving skills in environments where they feel safe, heard, and valued, and in collaboration with trusted adults.

  • Research and evidence-based practices: JOYweavers’ work is grounded in research and evidence-based practices related to Collaborative Problem Solving, the impact of trauma, and trauma-sensitive care.

  • Invested in the success of partner and peer organizations: JOYweavers is part of a larger community dedicated to the well-being of children and families. We feel the strength of a shared sense of purpose and are invested in the success of partner and peer organizations.

“Mia is one of those amazing people that has been doing the community-based healing work for decades and that everyone should know about. Her staff is incredible, as is her trauma-informed approach to her entire organization.

-Lou Bergholz, author of Vital Connections