AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS (2026) - The One Life Project is entering 2026 at a defining moment in its history. Nearly ten years ago, in September of 2016, OLP began as an idea formed by our founder and Executive Director, Alex Kovarovic, rooted in lived experience, community need, and a belief that young people deserve accessible, human-centered mental health support. At the time, we had no offices, no national footprint, and no guarantee that the idea would grow beyond a vision.

The One Life Project, one of the East Coast's fastest-growing youth-led mental health nonprofits, is proud to announce the upcoming opening of our newest regional location: the Southeast Executive Leadership Office in Miami Beach, Florida. The office, which will officially open on March 29th, 2026, marks a major milestone in our organization’s expansion and reinforces our commitment to making mental health support and education accessible to young people across the region. Lo

“What are you a retard?” My teacher asked me in first grade when I couldn’t read to do my in-class work.  That word might as well be written on my forehead because it became my label by my classmates throughout elementary and into high school. The word, “retard,” ripped apart my self-esteem and my mental wellbeing. It tore through me like a knife shredding all that made me who I was.  I was judged because I have a learning disability. Teachers and classmates thought that mean