Meg’s Legacy of Hope awarded our first $25,000 grant in September 2023 during the inaugural golf and dinner event. Partners for Our Communities, located in Palatine, has a program called Skyward Bound that aligns very closely with our mission of strengthening the mental health of youth and young adults in underserved communities. This $25,000 gift funds 250 hours of counseling for 14-22 year olds, an age group which is highly vulnerable and essential for the future health of our community.
Lisa Hanson Braun of POC receives check for Skyward Bound program
Skyward Bound provides clinical therapy to help under-resourced teens and young adults navigate the effects of poverty, which has a lasting impact. This POC target population has experienced trauma from a young age, including domestic violence, emotional and physical abuse, and impeded cultural identity. The most common struggles are major depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and adjustment disorder. All these issues impact a person’s motivation, self-esteem, cognitive ability to focus and increase one’s stress level. Skyward Bound is also available to meet with parents, but their experience has been that the parents do not support counseling or believe in mental health services.
Some of the teens receiving services through Skyward Bound additionally participate in group activities that build trust and life skills and create joy. Skyward Bound provides desperately needed mental health services without waiting months, and the service is in the student’s first language.
Kathy Mullin, POC Executive Director, reiterates that “when someone lives in poverty, access to healthcare and especially mental health services, may be unattainable. Rest assured that your contribution and support saves lives!”
