Coronado Gives ... Safe Harbor And “Anger Management”

The Feelings Monster: Students build their very own “Feelings Monster”—a small creature with a big job: holding onto the feelings they’re not ready to deal with yet. Kids write or draw their emotions, feed them to their Monster, and learn that feelings don’t have to be ignored or acted on right away.

Initially published in Coronado Eagle & Journal November 20, 2025

Safe Harbor has been part of the Coronado landscape since 1998. A 501 (c)(3) non-profit that has helped thousands of youths and families in our community prevent and overcome life’s many challenges.

The programs available through Safe Harbor cover a spectrum of needs for adults and youth in Coronado. The ultimate vision is being able to create a community where young people can navigate life’s challenges, through family interaction, skills, support and resources provided by the programs at Safe Harbor.

One of the premier programs is called “Anger Management”. The name reinforces that anger is a normal emotion and managing it is the skill that needs to be learned. This is a fun, hands-on program for 2nd-4th graders. “Instead of lecturing, we make emotions come alive through experiments, storytelling, visuals and art”, said Danielle Maske, Executive Director for Safe Harbor.

The Anger Management curriculum lasts three weeks and allows the students to identify anger, why it occurs in themselves and others, and how to deal with it. There are three sessions that incorporate a hands-on approach that helps students understand what they are feeling, and bring it to their level through intelligent and mindful practices. Programs such as these from Safe Harbor are a vital tool to helping all Coronado students deal with life’s challenges. Students gain coping tools. Teachers gain classroom management. Parents gain the ability to help at home. Currently, “Anger Management” is only offered in the private schools on the island due to funding restrictions at the public schools. Christ Church Day School has taken a lead role in implementing Safe Harbor programs for their students. “We have an amazing partnership with Safe Harbor”, said Payton Hobbs, Head of School for Christ Church. “We have used all the programs from Safe Harbor at the school because we believe in the positive impact it has on our students across the various stages of their lives”. “They need new and different skills as they grow to cope with what life brings”. Parents are also involved in the sessions through communication on what is covered at school, and language and strategies taught to the students. “We are proud of our partnership with Safe Harbor and how it has provided a beautiful and natural progression of skills for our students as they go through the different stages of their lives”, said Hobbs.

Programs such as these from Safe Harbor are a vital tool to helping all Coronado students deal with life’s challenges. Students gain coping tools. Teachers gain classroom management. Parents gain the ability to help at home.

“We participated in the Anger Management program as a pilot at Village Elementary”, said Crissy Kenny, second grade teacher at Village. “We fought hard to have this program at Village. “So many students come to teachers about emotions they are having and how to deal with them”. These lessons were so helpful, they were hands on, creative and the kids loved them”. Sadly, these Safe Harbor programs are not scheduled for this school year because the funds were cut from the budget.

The entire Coronado school community benefits when students feel calmer, safer, and more connected. Funding is needed to provide these programs to all Coronado students. This is where YOU, the community of Coronado can help make a difference. Your tax-deductible donation for Safe Harbor can be made through CORONADO GIVES, which is hosted by the Coronado Community Foundation.

Go to: coronadogives.com

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With your thoughtful donation, Coronado students will have access to these mental health programs from Safe Harbor that will enrich their lives and strengthen our community. This is your chance to continue to allow Safe Harbor to reach every student that needs assistance.

“Safe Harbor is an amazing resource on this island and as teachers we were able to see the immediate impact their programs provided to our students”, said Kenny. “We are a large school, with lots of students and a lot of need”. Any funding help from the Coronado community is greatly appreciated”.

Coronado Gives is a giving campaign sponsored by the Coronado Eagle & Journal and The Coronado Times and hosted by the Coronado Community Foundation. All proceeds benefit the residents of Coronado through 501(c)(3) organizations serving the Coronado community.

Donors will receive a 100% tax-deductible receipt from the Coronado Community Foundation via email or U.S. mail. Please contact info@ccfcoronado for more information.