Illustrative image: a facilitator leads a Papalotl mindfulness circle with youth seated on mats arou

THE PAPALOTL PROJECT

From Confinement to Metamorphosis

Trauma-informed mindfulness, breathwork, sound healing and somatic practice for youth in juvenile detention, helping them move from survival to self-worth.

Support a session on Givebutter

Want to volunteer? Join our facilitator circle

Weekly sessions at the Palm Beach Juvenile Detention Facility

Partner with us

THE TRAUMA BEHIND THE WALLS

We can't heal a child's behavior until we address the trauma held in their body.

For youth in the justice system, hypervigilance and constant stress aren't choices. They are daily survival. Most have lived through serious Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and their bodies are stuck in fight-or-flight.

Trauma can't simply be talked away, and punishment compounds it. Real rehabilitation starts with a body that feels safe. Papalotl meets youth where they are, honoring their humanity while helping their nervous systems reset.

97%

of youth in Florida's juvenile justice system reported at least one Adverse Childhood Experience. Half reported four or more, compared with 13% of adults in the original CDC-Kaiser ACE study.

Source: Baglivio et al., OJJDP Journal of Juvenile Justice, 2014 (64,329 Florida youth)

In Nahuatl, papalotl means butterfly.

It stands for the journey of retreating into a quiet space, letting go of survival patterns, and emerging with the strength to fly.

We don't ask:

"What is wrong with you?"

We ask:

"What happened to you?"

From survival to sovereignty

Phase 1: Calm the body

Phase 2: Rewire the mindset

Restoring safety

Sound healing, mindfulness, breathwork and somatic practice gently bring the nervous system out of survival mode. When the body feels safe, stored stress and fear can finally release.

Breathwork · Sound healing · Somatic movement · Mindfulness

Phase 2: Rewire the mindset

Reclaiming worth

A calm body opens a receptive mind. From that grounded place, we introduce positive self-programming tools that build emotional literacy, self-worth and genuine, self-directed accountability.

Emotional literacy · Self-worth · Accountability

Illustrative image: youth and a facilitator seated in a Papalotl session circle around a singing bow

WHAT A SESSION LOOKS LIKE

Simple to host. Built for secure settings.

Who

Group size

Ages 8–18

Youth in juvenile detention

Group size

10–25 youth

Led by trauma-informed facilitators

Length

What we need

1.5–2 hours

Every week

What we need

A quiet room

We bring all instruments and materials

These children need peace, and to be listened to without judgment.

Facility guard, Palm Beach Juvenile Detention Facility

MEET THE FOUNDER

Arantxa Muro

Mindfulness and Psychosomatic Practitioner

Arantxa specializes in nervous system regulation. Papalotl began as an answer to a calling: to serve our youth with tools that make real, lasting transformation possible.

She works alongside a multidisciplinary team of volunteers trained in a range of wellness modalities and trauma-informed nervous system regulation techniques.

GET INVOLVED

Help more young people unfold their wings.

Partner with us

For facilities, CBOs and schools. Bring weekly Papalotl sessions to the youth you serve.

Start a conversation

Volunteer

Join our facilitator circle. We welcome:

Breathwork, mindfulness, sound and movement facilitators
Wellness practitioners and mentors
Help with events, fundraising and outreach

Fill out the questionnaire

Support a session

$200

covers one weekly session for a circle of up to 25 youth.

Donate on Givebutter

They are resilient. They are valued.

They are capable of flight.

Want to bring Papalotl to your facility or organization? Email or call Arantxa directly to start a conversation.

Become a Member

THE PAPALOTL PROJECT

From Confinement to Metamorphosis

THE TRAUMA BEHIND THE WALLS

We can't heal a child's behavior until we address the trauma held in their body.

97%

In Nahuatl, papalotl means butterfly.

From survival to sovereignty

Phase 1: Calm the body

Phase 2: Rewire the mindset

Phase 2: Rewire the mindset

Phase 2: Rewire the mindset

Phase 2: Rewire the mindset

Phase 2: Rewire the mindset

WHAT A SESSION LOOKS LIKE

Simple to host. Built for secure settings.

Who

Group size

Group size

Group size

Group size

Group size

Length

What we need

What we need

What we need

What we need

What we need

These children need peace, and to be listened to without judgment.

MEET THE FOUNDER

Arantxa Muro

GET INVOLVED

Partner with us

Volunteer

Support a session

$200

They are resilient. They are valued.

They are capable of flight.

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