A small idea, heard around the world

Peptoc began in a Healdsburg classroom. Artists Jessica Martin and Asherah Weiss worked with students at West Side Elementary to make encouragement posters and record pep talks for anyone who needed a friendly voice.

Jessica imagined a modest audience. Instead, the hotline went viral. People called from around the world to hear children offer advice, encouragement and laughter.

The response brought an unexpected challenge. Every call cost money. A classroom project suddenly had the reach—and operating expenses—of something much larger.

Launch Pad Foundation became Peptoc’s fiscal sponsor, creating a way for people to contribute through LPF and helping with the infrastructure behind the growing project. Jessica and her collaborators continued to lead the creative work while we helped give it room to grow.

“Launch Pad made it possible to get started,” Jessica told us.

Peptoc has since expanded into a book and public art projects, and now operates as an independent nonprofit. LPF provided a charitable home during an earlier stage of that work.