Our Story
For our founder, Tanika McCullough, D.A.F.T. began with one powerful question: What if young people were given the support to heal instead of simply being punished? As a former middle school dean, Tanika grew tired of suspending students, only to see them return with the same unmet needs and repeated behaviors. Years earlier, she had created a youth program for an assignment in graduate school, never imagining it would become a reality. But in 2019, after undergoing a lumpectomy, Tanika experienced a life-changing moment of clarity. When she returned home from surgery, she felt an undeniable pull to revisit that program—a vision that suddenly felt less like an assignment and more like the purpose she was meant to fulfill. Having been raised in kinship foster care; while growing up in the Bronx, this work is deeply personal to Tanika. She wanted to create the kind of safe and nurturing space she wished she had as a young person. Tanika knew that youth who are overlooked, misunderstood, or labeled can flourish when someone takes the time to see their potential and nurture their growth. Today, D.A.F.T. is a safe space where young people feel seen, heard, and valued. It was from this belief that the name Dandelions Are Flowers Too was born.
What’s in the name? Dandelions are often dismissed as stubborn weeds, but they are flowers too—resilient, full of potential, and able to flourish even in difficult conditions. In the same way, young people are sometimes judged, labeled, or overlooked because others fail to recognize what is growing within them. Dandelions Are Flowers Too reflects our belief that every young person deserves to be seen, nurtured, and given the opportunity to flourish.
Our Why
We believe that when young people are given the right tools, support, and safe space to grow, they can make healthier choices and create brighter futures. Through emotional intelligence and social-emotional learning, D.A.F.T. helps students understand their emotions, navigate life’s challenges, and build the confidence to succeed—both in and beyond the classroom.
Our Mission & Vision
Our mission is to empower youth through mental health services, restorative justice, and social-emotional learning, ensuring every young person is seen, heard, and valued as we work to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline.
Our vision is to create a world where every young person is valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. We envision communities where mental health, restorative justice, and social-emotional learning foster healing, resilience, and opportunity for all.
D.A.F.T Core Values
Our core values are fundamental to D.A.F.T Youth Services. They are the guiding principles that dictate behavior and aid our students with taking ownership of their lives.
