Newsletter October 2026
Learning Listening & Patience Through Service
Mission in Motion: The Learning Behind the Service
At Chain Reaction, we believe leadership and life skills aren't developed simply by talking about them. They're developed through experience, practice, and the opportunity to grow.
Every week, our teens put that belief into action through service. While their projects make a meaningful difference in our community, the greater purpose is what they're learning along the way.
This October, our focus has been on Listening + Patience—two skills that influence how we communicate, build relationships, respond to challenges, and work with others. These may seem like simple skills, but they take intentional practice, especially when things don't go as planned.
Through service, teens encounter real opportunities to develop these skills. They learn to listen to perspectives different from their own, manage frustration, accept feedback, and work through challenges rather than give up. With guidance and reflection, these everyday experiences become valuable lessons in personal responsibility, emotional intelligence, and leadership.
This is what makes Chain Reaction different. We don't measure our success solely by the number of projects completed or hours served. We look at the growth taking place in the young people behind that work.
Our goal is to help teens recognize their strengths, understand how their actions affect themselves and others, and develop the confidence and skills to navigate their futures. What they practice here today will influence how they approach their education, relationships, careers, and responsibilities tomorrow.
That's the purpose behind everything we do, and why we say:
Service is our method. Learning is our mission.
When we invest in the development of young people, we're doing more than preparing them for their next step. We're helping build a stronger generation of capable, responsible, and contributing members of our community.
Teen Spotlight: From Learning the Project to Leading It
Last year, Jazlen was learning how to make Reuse & Rescue projects. Today, she’s the one teaching other teens how to do it.
As Chain Reaction’s Reuse & Rescue Intern, Jazlen helps teens turn repurposed materials into handmade toys for animals at the Pensacola Humane Society. She demonstrates the projects, answers questions, encourages teens when they get frustrated, and makes sure the finished toys are something they can be proud to donate.
But the toys are only part of the story.
Over this last year, we’ve watched Jazlen grow into someone other teens can look to for guidance. Every time she explains a project, helps someone fix a mistake, or steps in without being asked, she is practicing the communication, patience, responsibility, and leadership that Chain Reaction was created to develop.
And while Jazlen leads, another teen is just beginning that same process.
They may come in thinking they’re simply making a toy for a shelter animal. What they’re really getting is a safe place to try something new, work through frustration, contribute to their community, and discover what they’re capable of.
That’s the impact behind every Chain Reaction service project.
The toys matter. The animals they help matter. But so does the young person standing behind them—growing into someone who can turn around and lead the next teen.
"Chain Reaction has taught me that being a leader isn’t about knowing how to do everything. It’s about being patient, helping other people, and being willing to step up when you’re needed. Being an Intern has helped me become more confident in myself and realize that I can teach and lead others.” — Jazlen, Junior at West Florida High School
The Impact of Your Support: September Statistics
For this fall season CR has 2 presidents, 1 vice President, and 8 interns!
In September our members have served more than 300 hours!
Events: Fall Schedule
Our Practice to Purpose program meets every Tuesday from 3:30-5:30pm at the PSC campus. Please email info@mychainreaction.org if you have a teen you would like to get signed up!
Our Grit to Greatness program meets every Wednesday from 3:15-4:30pm at PHS.
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