Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Metzmaker.
Hi Jenny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Positive Somebody: A Small but Mighty Force for Healing in Mid‑Michigan
Positive Somebody may be a small nonprofit, but its impact across Mid‑Michigan is anything but small. Founded by Jenny Metzmaker, the organization is built on a simple but transformative belief: when children and families learn to recognize their emotions, regulate their feelings, and use positive coping skills, they build the foundation for a healthier, more hopeful life.
At its core, Positive Somebody is a preventative mental‑wellness nonprofit. Rather than waiting for a crisis, the organization equips children and families with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges before they become overwhelming. Through hands‑on programs, school partnerships, community outreach, and trauma‑informed education, Positive Somebody is helping reshape the emotional landscape of Mid‑Michigan.
The Positive Pack Program
One of the organization’s most recognized initiatives is the Positive Pack Program — a thoughtfully curated set of tools designed to help children understand and manage their emotions. Each Positive Pack includes:
A journal and guided writing activities
A pen
A “breathe stone” with a breathing exercise
A positive affirmation bracelet and card
Information on nutrition, hydration, and sleep
A sleep mask
Breathing and grounding activities
A resource pamphlet connecting families to additional community support
These packs are now in 49 schools, six police jurisdictions, community centers, and numerous partner organizations across Michigan. They serve as both a teaching tool and a tangible reminder that every child deserves support, understanding, and hope.
The Weather Within Program
Positive Somebody’s second major initiative is the Weather Within Program — a six‑session mental‑wellness series that teaches children to understand their emotions using weather‑themed language and emojis. The program covers:
Emotion recognition
Breathing and grounding exercises
Positive self‑talk
Self‑care practices
Healing through nature
Nutrition, hydration, and sleep
Physical activity and yoga
Body scanning
Journal writing
And more
The Weather Within Program is a well‑rounded, developmentally appropriate approach to emotional health — one that helps children build lifelong skills in a way that feels accessible, engaging, and empowering.
Community Events and Outreach
Positive Somebody also brings its resources directly into the community. Through events, collaborations, and partnerships with dozens of local organizations, the nonprofit ensures families can access mental‑wellness tools and connect with other agencies offering support. The team also attends community events, providing hands‑on coping activities and education for children and adults alike.
The Story Behind the Mission
Behind Positive Somebody is founder Jenny Metzmaker — a woman whose life journey fuels the heart of the organization.
Jenny grew up in a home marked by unregulated emotions, domestic violence, and substance use disorder. At just 15, she lost her mother to suicide. Like her mother and grandmother before her, Jenny dropped out of high school — but she refused to let generational trauma define her future.
She chose a different path.
Jenny worked tirelessly to heal, learn emotional regulation, and build a stable, loving life for her children. She returned to school and earned her high school diploma. She raised three sons who all graduated from high school; two graduated from college and became engineers, and her youngest is now studying social work at Arizona State University.
After founding Positive Somebody, Jenny returned to school once again. She is now just months away from completing her Bachelor’s in Social Work, with plans to continue on to her Master’s in Social Work. Her goal is clear: to use her education to expand Positive Somebody’s reach and help even more children and families break cycles of trauma.
A Vision for the Future
Positive Somebody is growing — not because of its size, but because of its heart, its mission, and its unwavering belief that emotional wellness is essential for every child. The organization’s work is reshaping how communities think about mental health, prevention, and resilience.
Jenny’s story is proof that healing is possible. Positive Somebody exists to ensure that every child knows the same truth: you are somebody, and you deserve a positive life.
https://positivesomebody.org/
https://www.facebook.com/positivesomebody
Our Mission
To build emotionally stronger communities by teaching emotional awareness and positive coping skills. We focus on giving kids and families the confidence to recognize their emotions.
We focus on giving kids and families the confidence to recognize their emotions, the skills to navigate them, and the support to know they’re not alone.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting and running Positive Somebody has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life, but it has also come with real challenges. Funding is tough for any nonprofit, and as a small, newer organization, we feel that every day. There are so many incredible nonprofits doing important work, and the pool of available funding is limited. Even though you don’t want to think of it as competition, it often is. Larger, long‑standing organizations tend to receive the bulk of the funding, and breaking through that barrier without money, influence, or connections has been difficult.
I didn’t come into this work with generational wealth or a network of powerful supporters. I came into it with lived experience, a mission, and a whole lot of heart. That means I’ve had to work twice as hard to be seen, heard, and taken seriously in the funding world. But with persistence, relationship‑building, and a deep belief in what we do, we’re making progress. Slowly but surely, doors are opening.
Despite the challenges, Positive Somebody continues to grow because the work matters. We’re helping children and families every single day, and that impact keeps us moving forward. Our mission is worth the long nights, the grant rejections, the learning curves, and the constant push to do more with less. With continued hard work and perseverance, we will reach the level of sustainability we need to expand our programs and deepen our impact. We’re not there yet, but we’re on our way — and the journey is worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Founder/director of Positive Somebody, student, wife and mother
What’s next?
I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead. I’m currently working toward my master’s in social work, and one of my biggest goals is to become a child therapist. That path feels deeply connected to the work I’m already doing with Positive Somebody. The more I learn, the more I can give back to the kids and families we serve.
At the same time, I’m excited to keep growing Positive Somebody. We’ve built something meaningful, and I want to continue strengthening our programs, expanding our reach, and creating long‑term stability so we can support even more people. It’s a lot to balance, but it all comes from the same place: wanting to help children and families heal, grow, and feel supported. With steady work and a whole lot of heart, I know we’ll get there.
Pricing:
- Donate on our website or purchase through our shop link.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://positivesomebody.org/about
- Instagram: @positivesomebody
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/positivesomebody
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@positivesomebody
