Empowering Teens to Thrive
Our Story
“Karima Maryam McKenzie is a trained and certified educator of 19 years. Over a decade, she's made a significant impact as a math teacher, coach, and administrator, touching the lives of thousands of children. Through her burnout to the point of anxiety, depression, and on the brink of suicide, her battle with mental health struggles was the catalyst for authoring the book, “Temples Are Sacred and So Are You” - a guide for the reader on how to honor themselves. Now she is on a mission to prevent others from experiencing the same. She guides individuals to honor their bodies as the Sacred Temples they are, empowering them to reach their highest potential. Committed to promoting unconditional love and self-respect, she helps teens embrace self-love and treat themselves with reverence through her transformative T.E.M.P.L.E.S. method. Her heartfelt mission is to highlight the sacredness and potential within every teen, nurturing their journey towards becoming the best version of themselves.
Our Mission
Temples Are Sacred" is dedicated to empowering teens ages 12-17 to recognize and embrace their inherent worth. Our mission is to foster self-awareness, inspire a commitment to physical health and movement, and teach effective meditation techniques. We aim to guide these teens in setting healthy boundaries, connecting their minds, bodies, and spirits, and cultivating courage.
Through our work, we strive to boost their self-confidence and assist them in defining their core values. At Temples Are Sacred, we believe in the sacredness of every individual and are committed to nurturing this belief in the hearts of the teens we serve.
What is the T.E.M.P.L.E.S. method?
It is an immersive experience that includes 8 Core Lessons that embodies our T.E.M.P.L.E.S. approach. Each letter represents a key area of focus to help teens honor themselves, their families, and their schools while navigating the challenges of being a student:
"T" is for Truth, Trauma, Trust & Train: We help teens face their truths, heal from trauma, build trust, and train for success.
"E" is for Exercise & Elevate: We motivate teens to incorporate body movement and elevate their mindset.
"M" is for Meditate & Manifest: We teach effective meditation techniques and how to manifest their dreams.
"P" is for Pray & Protect: We guide teens in spiritual practices and teach them to protect their energy.
"L" is for Love & Learn: We foster self-love and continuous learning including the importance of controlling their emotions.
"E" is for Eat to Live: We promote healthy eating habits for a vibrant life.
"S" is for Smile, Speak & Surround: We encourage positivity, effective communication, and creating a supportive environment.
The Struggles of Adolescents & Why They Need Us
Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage, and for many teenagers, it is fraught with challenges that impact their self-confidence and overall well-being.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 13% of adolescents aged 12-17 experience major depressive episodes.
Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 18% of high school students have seriously considered attempting suicide.
Harmful behaviors such as substance abuse and eating disorders are also prevalent, with the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse finding that nearly 17% of teens misuse prescription drugs.
Self-harm is another significant concern, with research from the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry indicating that around 15% of adolescents engage in self-injurious behavior.
The Concerns We Hear From Parents & Why They Need Our Help
"My teenager is struggling with self-esteem and self-confidence issues."
"I'm worried about my child's mental health and their bouts of depression."
"My son has been hanging out with the wrong crowd and I'm afraid he's being influenced negatively."
"My daughter spends so much time on social media and it seems to be affecting her self-worth."
"I've noticed my teenager is often anxious and stressed about school and social situations."
"My child has been experimenting with substances, and I'm really concerned about their safety."
"My teenager seems so withdrawn and isn't talking to me about what's going on in their life."
"I've caught my child engaging in self-harm and I don't know how to help them."
"My daughter has been struggling with body image issues and I'm worried it's leading to unhealthy behaviors."
"My son has been getting into trouble at school and I feel like I'm running out of options to help him."
Concerns We Hear From School Administrators & Why You Need Our Help
"We're seeing an increase in students struggling with anxiety and depression, and our resources are stretched thin."
"Many of our students are dealing with bullying, both in person and online, and it's affecting their mental health."
"We have a significant number of students who are frequently absent or disengaged from their classes."
"Behavioral issues in the classroom are rising, and teachers are feeling overwhelmed."
"Our school lacks the comprehensive mental health support that many of our students desperately need."
"We're noticing a troubling trend of self-harm among some of our students and need effective intervention programs."
"Substance abuse is becoming more common among our students, and we need better prevention strategies."
"Many students lack the resilience to cope with academic and social pressures, leading to frequent breakdowns."
"We're concerned about the impact of social media on our students' self-esteem and overall well-being."
"We need programs that not only address academic performance but also foster emotional and physical well-being."
What We Offer
“Temples Are Sacred” Program (Available In-Person and Online)
Our 8-week program addresses the challenges faced by today's active and socially engaged teens from the ages of 12 to 17. Recognizing their need for tools to protect themselves energetically, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, we aim to foster self-awareness, encourage physical activity, teach meditation techniques, and promote mind-body-spirit connection. Our goal is to enhance their courage, self-confidence, and help them define their core values, transforming their lives despite the pressures of the digital age.
Empowerment Speaking
When you book Karima to speak at your school or organization, you're not just getting a motivational speech. You're investing in a transformative experience for your students. Karima's speaking engagements are designed to foster self-awareness and self-love, teach students how to honor their bodies and minds as sacred temples, provide practical tools for handling social and emotional issues, and inspire students to take charge of their wellness and personal growth.
“Temples Are Sacred and So Are You” Book
Using the word TEMPLES as an acronym, Karima McKenzie identifies seven real world, practical ways for young people to treat their bodies like a Temple. This transformative guide gives every young reader a call to take action to honor their bodies, minds, and spirit.
“Temples Are Sacred” Curriculum
This 17-week “A Journey to Self Love” course aims to guide students on a journey of self-discovery, self-love, and personal growth through the exploration of their inner temple. Students will learn to cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and positive relationships while honoring their sacred selves. The course will incorporate reflective practices, interactive activities, and practical strategies to support students' holistic well-being.
Testimonials
I would say she was very inspiring and her talk helped me look at life a different way and she taught me how to be healthy.
-Destiny C.
It's an Inspirational an empowering speech that brought everyone to the same level out of empathy and compassion for each others different experiences that are openly spoken about or not.
-Sean W.
I love your story! You should publish another book! Your book is amazing so far!
-Tyshae P.
Testimonials
Very comprehensive, detailed, inspiring and encouraging presentation.
-Leslie M.
