Issue #2: Hope in Action

This newsletter shares peer stories that may touch on sensitive themes. While we hope these stories offer inspiration and connection, please remember that the Little Light Community Collective is not a mental health or crisis service. 

Our content is based on personal lived experience and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice. Please take care of yourself as you read, and if you need professional support, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified provider or your local crisis service.

Quote

“Vulnerability is the birthplace of connection.” - Brené Brown

Opening Note

Dear friends, old and new,

Welcome to the second edition of our Little Light Newsletter!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we define hope. Often, we treat it like a destination. A place we’re trying to arrive at, or a feeling we’re waiting to finally reach. But for me, I’ve come to see it differently.

Hope lives in the small moments along the way.

It’s in the quiet, often unnoticed pieces of our days: the kind gestures, the moments of connection, and the courage it takes to show up. It’s such a powerful feeling to hold… something gentle.

For me, hope moves, grows, and carries us forward. It’s less of a fixed point on a map and more of a path we’re already walking. It’s something we experience in motion, something we create and rediscover again and again.

This month, we’re so excited to welcome our first Little Light of the Month. We’re honoured to have Phil Donaldson share his story—one that speaks to the light found in connection, vulnerability, and the courage of a single moment.

Phil Donaldson

Phil is a Bilingual Program Coordinator at Jack.org, where he supports youth mental health initiatives. Driven by a deep commitment to mental health and connection, he brings together his background in psychology, community engagement, and coaching to create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported.

His journey as a mental health advocate began through youth programming, where he witnessed the power of encouragement in shaping self-confidence and well-being. Through his work, Phil aims to foster empathy, authentic leadership, and meaningful conversations that empower individuals and strengthen communities.

We’re so grateful to have a community that shares their stories of hope, healing, and resilience. Thank you, Phil, for your support and dedication to creating a space like this one. We’re so glad to have you as our first collaborator and storyteller. A warm welcome!

And with that, we invite you into Phil’s story.

Thank you for sharing this space with us! ☺️

Kindly, 

Lily Baker

Founder & Collective Lead

Little Light of the Month—Finding My Swing, Phil Donaldson

I discovered that hope can emerge from small pieces and hidden parts of ourselves. Sometimes, it appears in the places we least expect, quietly waiting to be found. That’s where I would like to begin my journey of hope—by returning to a period of my life when I found the confidence and strength within myself to seek connection while I was facing deep anxiety and insecurity.   

My journey throughout high school was certainly not all sunshine and rainbows. At times, it felt like I was flying a plane while it was still being built. Much of my self-worth became closely tied to my performance and the people I surrounded myself with. This was likely influenced by the fact that I was part of a Sports-Study program where my academic and athletic lives were deeply intertwined. 

If you haven’t heard of this type of program before, here’s how it works: some high schools offer specialized programs for student-athletes who train and compete in a specific sport. These programs are designed so that students attend their academic classes in the first half of the day, while the second half is dedicated to training and practice in their respective sport.

As an aspiring student-athlete striving to become the best athlete I could be, my parents and I believed this program was the perfect recipe for success. To my surprise, however, the experience came with its own set of challenges. Since many of my classmates were also my baseball teammates, I began to feel like my performance, popularity, interests, and abilities, both academic and athletic, defined who I was as a person. My classmates and teammates constantly reminded me of where I stood. When I didn’t fit in, they pushed me away, called me names, and made fun of me.

The hardest part was not knowing what to do. Should I try to fit in, or be myself and risk getting hurt? Over time, my self-worth deteriorated, my sense of identity faded, and I felt completely lost. I didn’t know who to lean on. I found myself in a very dark place. I remember screaming into my pillow and punching my bed, overwhelmed with anger and confusion.

That’s when hope entered the picture.

I leaned on my family, the people who truly appreciated me for who I was, not the version of myself I felt pressured to become. They saw my goofy side, my vulnerable side, and embraced it. I started playing baseball alone, not to prove myself to others, but to prove to myself that I was capable, unique, and gifted.

But I truly began to discover who I was after I left high school.

On my first day of college, I was sitting on the bench waiting at the bus stop to head to orientation. It was a warm summer morning. The sun was out, people were walking around, and three guys were standing nearby chatting. I recognized them from high school, but they were people I had always been too afraid to talk to. 

I remember feeling nervous. Part of me worried they might reject me or laugh at me. My mind was racing with doubt. But at the same time, something inside me felt different. It felt empowering, like my heart had taken over and was telling the rest of my body to just go for it.

So I walked up to them and introduced myself.

To my surprise, they welcomed me warmly and asked if I was going to the same college orientation as they were. When I said yes, they replied, “Great! Let’s go together.” That simple moment led to years of friendship. 

To them, this may have been a small interaction. But for me, it was a huge turning point in my life. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief, like a deep breath of fresh air after holding my breath for far too long. In that moment, I felt hope and curiosity about what life might hold next. 

From that point on to today, I always aim to stay true to myself. To be authentic. To follow my heart. Being accepted for who I am, both by others and by myself, is one of the most rewarding gifts I have ever experienced. It all started with finding the confidence and trust within myself to reach out, seek connection, and not be afraid to shine my light. 

Looking back on these memories, I am so proud of what I have overcome, the choices I made, and the person I have become. I feel truly grateful to be surrounded by truly amazing people who love me for who I am. 

~ Phil Donaldson

Reflection

In what ways have you noticed hope 'moving' or growing in your life lately, even in the smallest of ways?

If you’d like to share, we would love to hear from you. You can submit your reflection here.

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Closing & Feedback

Thank you for being here and for reading our second issue. We are deeply grateful for your support at the beginning of this journey and hope you’ll join us again next month on April 30th, 2026.

If you’re subscribed, the next newsletter will arrive directly in your inbox that day. If not, it will be available on our website, and you’re warmly welcome to subscribe at any time to receive it by email.

How did this newsletter land with you today? 

As a peer-led community, your voice matters deeply to us. Your reflections, feedback, and suggestions help us keep the light shining in the right direction.

We invite you to take a moment to share your thoughts here.

Thank you for reading and for being part of this circle of light.

Until next time,
Keep your little light burning.

✨Little Light Community Collective✨