Jana Marie Foundation
Stompers Project®The Stompers Project® by Jana Marie Foundation uses creative expression to educate the community about mental health and
serves as a catalyst for positive change.
the power of art:
Breaking Down Barriers
About Stompers Project®
The magic of the Stompers Project® by Jana Marie Foundation lies in the fact that it lends a voice to those who suffer in silence and creates opportunities for healing through self-expression. The Stompers Project® brings community members together around a common goal of wellness and remind us all of the simple dream we all share: to find joy and contentment in our lives. By enlisting community members to help with the Stompers’ creation, we are able to have a broader impact and are better able to share the Stompers Project’s message of hope and recovery.
OBJECTIVES
- Give residents a voice through sharing of stories
- Stomp out the stigma that surrounds mental health
- Spark community-wide conversations
- Create opportunities for prosocial involvement
What Drives Us
Our Mission
Jana Marie Foundation harnesses the power of creative expression and dialogue to spark conversations, build connections, and promote mental health and well-being among young people and their communities.
View
Featured Stompers
Hope and Recovery
Created by The Meadows in collaboration with Marisa and Nancy Vicere of Jana Marie Foundation
Born: December 18, 2015
buddy
Created by Mount Nittany Middle School in collaboration with Marisa and Nancy Vicere of Jana Marie Foundation.
Born: December 18, 2015
peace
Created by Delta Program Students in collaboration with Mel Forkner Lesher, Mark Pilato, Chris Bittner, Nancy Vicere and Marisa Vicere
Born: April 21, 2015
SPOT
Created by Juniata Prism Club, It’s on Us, and other Juniata College Students in collaboration with Marisa Vicere and Becky Misangyi.
Born: May 3, 2021
Faith
Created by Allegheny Synod Youth Event Participants in collaboration with Marisa Vicere, Ali Turley, and Kayla King
Born: December 9, 2019
SERVE
Created by Veterans, Military Service Members, and those who serve them in collaboration with Marisa Vicere and Ali Turley.
Born: August 31, 2018
Listen
What are people saying about the Stompers Project®?
Sends a beautiful message
“As artists we have a role in society as communicators. It should be our goal to use those skills to communicate the wonderful possibilities that exist when we break down the societal barriers which hold us all back because we stigmatize those afflicted with mental illness – ‘brain dis-ease.’ The Stompers Project [by Jana Marie Foundation] sends a beautiful message and I am thrilled to see the creative community of Happy Valley working together to open up and remove the isolation that creates the stigma and discrimination we must eliminate. I applaud the efforts of everyone involved in this fantastic project!”
– Joe Pantoliano, Emmy award-winning actor and Founder, No Kidding, Me Too!
An Amazing Project
“Just wanted to thank you again for what you are doing…I love the conversations our group has been having and this project has brought me to greater understandings about mental illness and depression and ways of helping, and not only by being a part of this project but on a personal level. This stomper is helping me, Thank You! I think I get what your dream is all about, and to be a great stomper one must be able to stomp, to dance it out, from the dark and light, expressing ourselves and working together, not being afraid. A great group of people and an amazing project, thank you again.”
– Mark Pilato, Artist