Ridgewood High School Student Launches REM Reward to Promote Sleep Health for Youth

Ridgewood High School Student Leads Nonprofit Revolutionizing Teen Sleep Awareness

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood, NJ – Meet Ryan Shintani, a Ridgewood High School student and the passionate founder of REM Reward, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating youth on the critical importance of sleep for both mental and physical well-being.

The Power of Sleep: A Teen’s Journey

Ryan’s journey began with personal struggles—feeling fatigued, unfocused, and mentally drained throughout his early school years. A lack of quality sleep not only impacted his academic performance and basketball playing, but also his overall mental health.

While searching for solutions, Ryan discovered a game-changer: the transformative power of restorative sleep. Surprised by how often classmates bragged about “pulling all-nighters,” he realized there was a huge disconnect between youth and healthy sleep habits.

🌙 Founding REM Reward: Sleep as a Superpower

Ryan combined his passions for psychology, self-improvement, and wellness to create REM Reward—a unique, youth-driven platform that flips the script on sleep. The mission? To educate, empower, and inspire teens and kids to view sleep not as a chore, but as a powerful tool for success and well-being.

Unlike other health orgs, REM Reward is built by teens, for teens, making it relatable, engaging, and effective. The nonprofit’s website, www.remreward.org, provides free, age-appropriate resources on how students can maximize their potential through better sleep habits.

💬 Ryan’s Vision

“Sleep isn’t just rest—it’s a reward,” says Ryan. “It fuels our minds, bodies, and futures. I want to change how we see it, especially as students navigating academic pressure, sports, and mental health challenges.”

Get Involved

REM Reward continues to expand its reach, spreading awareness through school visits, online content, and community outreach. Ryan invites students, parents, and educators to join the movement and help reshape the culture around sleep—starting from the ground up.

Ryan is current on two main initiatives:

• Fundraiser for Hill Top Haven Family Shelter: We are organizing a drive to collect vital sleep items – blankets, pillows, eye masks, and sleepwear – for the women and children at Hill Top Haven. Sleep is often a neglected aspect of health, yet it plays a profound role in recovery and resilience. Through this initiative, we aim to offer comfort and restorative sleep to those who need it most.

• World Sleep Day and Mental Health Awareness Month: To promote sleep and mental health, we will be setting up a book area in the library, featuring resources on the importance of sleep and mental health. Patrons will be able to browse educational materials that highlight how restorative sleep contributes to overall well-being.

Explore more and become part of the REM Reward mission at remreward.org.

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