We recently wrote about a budding nonprofit started by Nick Yannotty called “Breakthrough Butler,” which was inspired by a childhood desire for an avenue for self-expression where he could go, aside from school-sanctioned activities.

Since its start in January 2021, Yannotty has hosted open gym events for sports — usually volleyball — at the Butler YMCA, father-and-daughter dances and middle-school dances, all serving children ages 7 to 15 years old.

Yannotty, having previously worked in youth programming at the Butler Y, gets anywhere from a handful of children to groups of up to around 75 at events.

“I needed a place to go and have friends in a place that was pressure-free,” Yannotty said. “Just a fun, positive atmosphere where you could build skills and become a better person.”

We’ve said before how children are dealing with copious amounts of stress in recent years. Something like this is just what they need, a place to relax and just do what children are supposed to do.

A balance of responsibilities and recreation is essential for anyone’s mental health, but children’s especially. Older generations sometimes complain that younger ones don’t know how to interact with one another, however, it’s possible that the number of outlets in which they learn to do so is shrinking.

The name “Breakthrough” is meant to invoke the idea of middle and high school students literally having a breakthrough in their personalities and growth, according to Yannotty.

Isabella Curzi, student at Butler Intermediate who is assisting Breakthrough Butler, said she has noticed personal growth in interacting with people and learning how to deal with them.

“Being a better person is really the goal of all this,” Yannotty said. “The main goal is to have a safe space for people to come as they are and grow and have something that will be bigger than themselves.”

It honestly sounds like just what the doctor prescribed. We commend Yannotty’s efforts and hope children that need it can benefit from some pressure-free time with their peers.

— CM