More Than You Think 2023 Gift Pouch Project

In March 2019, More Than You Think (MTYT) began as a week-long journaling activity for 48 3rd graders in Las Vegas. Founded by Tori Amen, its mission was (and still is) to promote a positive self-image in young students that would empower them for academic and personal success.

Later in 2019, More Than You Think started its ‘Success Bound’ projects for elementary schools in Dallas with the support of the SMU Hilltop Scholars Program and other SMU organizations. Since then, MTYT has served over 300 5th-grade students in-person to promote a positive self-image in them. When COVID limited in-person activities from 2020 - 2022, MTYT continued its mission in this period by delivering over 1000 gift pouches to three schools in Dallas, TX and two schools in Reno, NV, at no cost.

Now an official 501(c)(3) organization in the State of Nevada, MTYT aims to serve the 7,000 5th-grade students of Northern Nevada with gift pouches containing a love journal, wristband, encouraging note, snack, and activity packet in 2023!

Every ~$3.00 covers the cost of one gift pouch. Your donation will go into purchasing the materials for these gift pouches (printing Love Journals, ordering wristbands & snacks, etc.). We are partnering with volunteers and student organizations in Nevada to distribute these gift pouches to the 50+ Nevada-based elementary schools on our list.

Your financial gift directly supports our mission to promote a positive, empowering self-image in young students between 10-12 years of age! We appreciate your help!

What we have done (so far):

Fall 2019

In November 2019, we distributed love journals, coloring pages, wristbands and certificates to fourteen 4-6th graders in St. Philips Elementary's after-school class. We talked with them about how valuable they are, and together we declared phrases such as “I am smart, I am valuable…” We took a group picture together and left a few dozen more love journals and other materials to the teacher for her other classes.

We planned for those same kids, along with others from St. Philips (a total of 70), to come to the SMU campus for a field trip on November 24, 2019. Though we had the facility, volunteers, and food all ready to go, the field trip didn't happen due to transportation waiver complications. Nevertheless, we took away important lessons that continue to strengthen us today.

Spring 2020

In March 2020, most institutions completely shut down in-person activities due to COVID. We had planned a field trip on April 4, 2020, for the students of Esperanza Elementary to come to SMU, which was cancelled.

Fall 2020

On November 7, 2020, we hosted our first gift pouch-making volunteer event in the Scholars Den, where 8 SMU student volunteers assembled around 150 gift pouches in-person.

On November 16, 2020, we sent the gift pouches to Esperanza Elementary for their ~128 4th and 5th graders, some of whom were hurricane evacuees from Louisiana and Texas.

Spring 2021

On March 19, 2021, we hosted our gift pouch-making event in the Scholars Den, where 7 SMU student volunteers came to make 150 gift pouches.

On March 22, 2021, we delivered 100 gift pouches to the 5th graders of Urban Park Elementary.

On March 31, 2021, we delivered 50 gift pouches to students in St. Philips Elementary.

Fall 2021

In October 2021, we delivered approximately 40 gift pouches to students of Lemelson STEM.

On November 19, 2021, we met the 65 5th graders of Urban Park Elementary in person and delivered a gift pouch to each student with some leftovers. We talked with the students about how important and unique they are.

Spring 2022

In March 2022, we assembled and then delivered approximately 400 gift pouches to the 6th graders of Faiss Middle School.

We planned for a field trip for the 5th graders of Urban Park Elementary, who received gift pouches in November 2021, to come to SMU. However, due to the timing of COVID restriction fluctuations, the field trip did not happen. Nevertheless, we learned valuable lessons that we will use to host a field trip in the Spring of 2023.

Fall 2022

On Monday, November 7, 2022, 24 SMU students showed up to assemble 90 gift pouches.

On Friday, November 11, 2022, we delivered these 90 gift pouches to the 5th graders of Urban Park Elementary and encouraged the students that they have great potential and reminded them to see themselves positively.

Spring 2023

On Friday, March 31, 2023, the 5th graders of Urban Park Elementary - along with 3 teachers and several parent chaperones - came to SMU campus for a 2-hour field trip. First, in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center, we reviewed the final questions in the Love Journal together, and discussed the importance of having confidence. Afterwards, the 5th graders did a scavenger hunt, where they got to find classmates who "likes the color of their hair" or "wants to go to SMU," etc. The 5th graders got to decorate mini-graduation caps with their name and any future professional aspirations. After a lunch & bathroom break, the 5th graders got to hear from a current SMU engineering student share and present her engineering studies in college. Finally, the whole group walked through SMU campus to McFarlin Auditorium to take a group picture, before returning safely to Urban Park Elementary School.

We are currently visiting 5th grade students throughout Northern Nevada and distributing our gift pouches to them.