Newborn University (NewbornU)

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At CYSOM (Color Your Story Onto Mine), we believe that true healing is a journey of transformation that begins within the self and extends outward, impacting families, communities, and organizations. We offer comprehensive services aimed at creating a full circle of healing, empowering not just individuals but the leaders and advocate organizations who support them.

Our core mission is to guide people and organizations through the process of healing by fostering mental health awareness, empowerment, and community. We understand that healing is not linear—it's a dynamic, interconnected process that requires support at all levels. Whether you're an individual recovering from trauma, a leader guiding others through recovery, or an advocate looking for resources and tools to support your cause, CYSOM provides the tools and resources needed to navigate this transformative journey.

For Leaders
CYSOM offers training and mentorship programs designed to help leaders in various sectors—including healthcare, education, government, and nonprofits—understand the dynamics of mental health, trauma recovery, and social artistry. Our leaders receive the skills and strategies necessary to inspire change, advocate effectively, and support the people they serve.

For Advocate Organizations
We partner with advocacy organizations to equip them with effective tools, training, and programs aimed at empowering individuals impacted by mental health challenges, addiction, domestic violence, sexual trauma, lead poisoning, and more. Our services help these organizations strengthen their outreach, improve their support networks, and ensure a holistic approach to healing within the communities they serve.

Our Approach to Full Circle Healing
1. Holistic Support: CYSOM believes in a full-circle approach to recovery that addresses the mind, body, and spirit. By offering social artistry for mental health and other therapeutic resources, we ensure that people not only heal from trauma but also learn to thrive.
 
2. Trauma-Informed Leadership: Whether working with mental health professionals or advocacy leaders, we ensure all stakeholders receive trauma-informed training. This enables them to understand the impact of trauma and lead with empathy and compassion.

3. Community Building: Healing is best achieved in a community. At CYSOM, we work to build supportive, resilient networks for individuals, leaders, and organizations alike, creating a safe space for collaboration, growth, and empowerment.

4. Advocacy & Awareness: We champion advocacy initiatives that highlight issues such as lead poisoning, the effects of autism, mental health awareness, and the need for support for incarcerated individuals. Our collaborative efforts ensure that marginalized voices are heard, and change is enacted at the systemic level.

Key Services We Provide:
- Social Artistry for Mental Health Workshops: Designed for individuals and organizations to use creative expression as a tool for healing, communication, and advocacy.
- Trauma Recovery Coaching: Personal coaching and group sessions to help individuals and organizations navigate the complex layers of trauma recovery.
- Lead Poisoning Advocacy & Education: Raising awareness about the ongoing impacts of lead poisoning, particularly for children, parents, and marginalized communities.
- Incarceration Support Programs: Providing transformative tools and resources to incarcerated individuals, guiding them on a path from caterpillar behavior to butterfly testimonies.

At CYSOM, we are dedicated to supporting individuals and leaders alike in their journey toward healing, growth, and resilience. Through our work with advocate organizations, we create a ripple effect that strengthens entire communities, ultimately helping to create a world where healing is possible for everyone.

THE SURRENDERING IDENTITY

The Surrendering Identity," captures a pivotal moment of inner conflict and readiness for change. Created by an incarcerated citizen we will refer to as "Aspiration", a participant in Newborn University's "Caterpillar Behavior to Butterfly Testimony" program, this image reflects his "caterpillar" stage—the identity he held before and at the time of his incarceration.

In the piece, Aspiration depicts himself as a young teen, dressed in gang attire with a red shirt and blue jeans. His face is partially obscured, a symbolic gesture of the shame and fractured identity that marked his earlier years. His arms are lowered, and he holds a gun pointed downward, an element that holds deep significance. The downward-pointed gun signifies a stance of inner surrender—representing his subconscious readiness to release old, destructive patterns and open himself to something greater. Through this pose, he communicates a desire to disarm the negative influences in his life and break the cycle of behaviors that once defined him.

This image serves as a powerful visual of Aspiration’s journey, highlighting his emerging awareness of how past traumas affected his self-worth and choices. For the first time, he is beginning to pinpoint these buried emotions, recognize where they reside within him, and acknowledge the possibility of transformation. His journey from “Caterpillar” to “Butterfly” embodies a profound commitment to self-acceptance, surrender, and growth—a step toward redefining his identity and life path with courage and resilience.

After engaging in Newborn University's Caterpillar Behavior to Butterfly Testimony program, Aspiration began to explore new aspects of his identity. His second artwork represents his “butterfly” self, symbolizing the man he aspires to be and is becoming. Here, he is depicted as an adult, wearing a blue suit—a choice intentionally made to contrast with past gang colors. His hands are open, his face is visible, and he wears a smile, showing a sense of presence, self-assurance, and peace. 

This transformation speaks volumes: the smile, a beard showing maturity, and hands unclenched and free from weapons reflect the healing he has found. Aspiration describes feeling happiness and pride as a positive influence on his family and peers. With the support of guided self-reflection, life skills training, educational resources, and a nurturing environment focused on growth, Aspiration has redefined his identity. His new behaviors are rooted in self-worth, resilience, and a commitment to progress. He now actively engages in building a positive future, emerging from his cocoon of past traumas and destructive choices.

Aspirations’s transformation is evident in a heartfelt note he wrote to the program facilitator, expressing gratitude for seeing and interacting with his "butterfly" self. In his words, he thanks Newborn University for giving him the tools to recognize and nurture the potential he now sees in himself. As he moves forward, he is dedicated to making positive choices, advocating for others, and participating in life as his "butterfly" self. This journey has allowed him to step into a new chapter of life, a testimony to his inner resilience and the power of self-discovery.

Through the "Caterpillar Behavior to Butterfly Testimony" curriculum, incarcerated citizens like Aspiration gain the skills and insight to break free from old patterns. This journey is more than art; it’s about building self-worth, confronting past traumas, and using those experiences to create a foundation for growth. Being in a Level One facility that values rehabilitation has allowed participants to reconnect with their true potential and emerge from their cocoons ready to fly.

"First Love Yourself" (FLY) is at the core of this transformative work. At Newborn University, we’re honored to facilitate a platform where individuals can find healing, purpose, and a pathway to freedom from the inside out.