schools
After-school program teaches children to love and respect themselves
By Debra Alfarone, LeAnne Gendreau at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
WASHINGTON (Aging Untold) — An after-school program in Washington is using affirmations, art and storytelling to help children build confidence and a strong sense of self. The program is run by a nonprofit called FAN! Josephine Mazych said it stands for Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso, which means “safe pl...
Key takeaway Josephine Mazych said it stands for Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso, which means “safe places, linked hearts.
Why this matters in The Nashville
While the after-school program highlighted is based in Washington, its approach to building confidence and self-esteem in children is highly relevant to Nashville 's own educational landscape. Nashville's schools have long grappled with issues of student self-esteem and confidence, particularly among disadvantaged populations. Programs like FAN! offer a valuable model for how community-based initiatives can provide critical support to students outside the traditional classroom. By incorporating affirmations, art, and storytelling, such programs can help Nashville's children develop a stronger sense of self and resilience, better equipping them to navigate the challenges of growing up. As Nashville continues to explore innovative solutions to support its students' social and emotional development, the success of programs like FAN! is certainly worth noting and potentially emulating. By prioritizing self-love and self-respect, Nashville can help its children grow into confident, capable, and compassionate individuals.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? WASHINGTON (Aging Untold) — An after-school program in Washington is using affirmations, art and storytelling to help children build confidence and a strong sense of self. The program is run by a nonprofit called FAN! Josephine Mazych said it stands for Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso, which means “safe pl...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Debra Alfarone, LeAnne Gendreau at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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